[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 2014 AMHERST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SMALL BUSINESS AWARD 
                               RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 2014

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize the honorees of 
the Amherst Chamber of Commerce's Small Business Awards Luncheon and 
Showcase here today. Each business/business leader has done their part 
to lead by example, demonstrating leadership in the business community 
and a shared dedication to improving the economic conditions of our 
region. As small businesses, they are in a unique position to not only 
push the community forward through job growth, but also to test drive 
new products and ways of doing business that will no doubt have a 
lasting impact in the world around us.
   With a motto of ``We Want Better'', Block Club has been working on 
improving not only their customers' brands, but also strengthening the 
brand of the entire Western New York (WNY) area. Being featured in such 
publications as the Boston Herald and the Washington Post, Block Club 
has demonstrated to the rest of the country some of the outstanding 
work accomplished right here at home. I commend this year's Trailblazer 
Award recipient, Patrick Finan, Founder & Principal of Block Club.
   Another individual being honored today is Maureen Munzert from Key 
Bank. Maureen has utilized her expertise in financing and the banking 
industries to better serve her clients and her strong record of 
accomplishments have led her to being recognized here today. Maureen's 
ability to go beyond a banking role and truly become a financial 
partner to her clients is exemplary. Her dedication to guidance and 
leadership is expressed not only in leading junior members of her team, 
but also her being a champion of the Key4Women sub-organization. I am 
pleased to recognize this year's Small Business Advocate of the Year, 
Maureen Munzert.
   Dr. Lavigne is another individual who has had a great impact on the 
community. As a leader of many business support programs in the WNY 
region, not to mention her stewardship of the NYS Center of Excellence 
in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, Dr. Lavigne has driven economic 
returns of over 60:1. This incredible stewardship of governmental 
funding has seen hundreds of new jobs created and demonstrated Dr. 
Lavigne's excellence in utilizing public funds for the public good. It 
is my honor to recognize Dr. Marnie Lavigne as this year's Community 
Stewardship Award recipient.
   EnergyMark is a company which is leading the way in being an active 
business community member. Through model leadership, EnergyMark has 
helped countless aspiring community leaders through internships at both 
the undergraduate and master's level programs. Furthermore, in creating 
their space in the market, EnergyMark is allowing its customer to grow 
faster through innovative savings that have kept over 5 million dollars 
in the hands of local business for their own growth and development. I 
commend this year's Award of Excellence recipient, Energy Mark, LLC.
   One of the newest additions to our city will be the HARBORCENTER 
facility opening later this year. The culmination of many proud 
accomplishments, the HARBORCENTER will provide 2 NHL sized hockey rinks 
and numerous support facilities around the venue including a hotel, 
restaurants, and training facilities which will compliment the 
development occurring on our waterfront. This project will be an 
attraction for families in our region and beyond and will boost the 
economic conditions of Downtown Buffalo. Under the leadership of John 
Koelmel, the HARBORCENTER is likely to generate nearly 2,000 jobs and a 
projected $48 million dollars in state and local taxes. I applaud the 
work of all those involved with the HARBORCENTER project and 
congratulate you on your Sponsor's Award from the Amherst Chamber of 
Commerce.
   Lougen Valenti Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP are actively working to 
redefine how a CPA firm can be a part of the community. Balancing an 
approach of personal attention and national firm level resources, LVBW 
has pooled over 100 collective years of experience to serve clients 
from single employee businesses to multi-national corporations. While 
this alone is a tremendous accomplishment, the team at LVBW pushes 
further, encouraging employee volunteerism and providing assistance to 
such notable local charities as the WNY Foodbank, United Way Day of 
Caring, and Journey's End. I am pleased to recognize Lougen Valenti 
Bookbinder & Weintraub, LLP as the recipient of the Small Business of 
the Year Award.
   Sweet Jenny's chocolates and ice cream has been a great story of 
success here in WNY and will soon reach its 30th year in business. In 
using a ``charity based business model'' Sweet Jenny's has utilized 
corporate giving to promote their brand on a local level and to provide 
ice cream and products to charity organizations and local food banks. I 
had the pleasure of visiting Sweet Jenny's and can attest the strength 
of their business and outreach in the community. It is my honor to 
commend this year's At Your Service Award recipient, Sweet Jenny's.
   This impressive list of Small Businesses being honored at this 
year's Luncheon and Showcase deserve the extra recognition and I thank 
the Amherst Chamber of Commerce for bringing these distinguished 
business leaders together. It is through your actions that other 
business leaders have a guidepost for exemplary action. I wish you all 
continued success in the years to come.

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