[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 139 (Friday, November 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1588]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE CAREER OF JAMES M. BOLES, ED.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 14, 2014

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career and 
accomplishments of a distinguished member of my community and my 
friend, James M. Boles, Ed.D. Dr. Boles's work and unwavering 
dedication to better the quality of life for those who need it most--
the disabled, children, seniors, and their families--is a model and an 
inspiration.
   Dr. Boles served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of 
People, Inc., the largest non-profit human services agency in Erie 
County. On October 1, 2014, after thirty-three years spent growing this 
impressive organization, he retired.
   When Dr. Boles began his tenure with People Inc. in 1981, the 
organization staffed 200 people. Under his leadership, People Inc.'s 
budget has grown from $2 million to over $144 million, an impressive 
feat in Western New York's non-profit community. At his time of 
retirement, Dr. Boles had the responsibility of overseeing more than 
3,200 staff that assist over 12,000 individuals.
   A lifetime student and advocate for those with disabilities, Dr. 
Boles received his Doctor of Education and his Masters of Education 
degree from Columbia University, and his Masters of Arts degree from 
Goddard College in Clinical Psychology.
   Dr. Boles has been a member of countless groups such as 
Commissioner's Advisory Council on Intellectual and Developmental 
Disabilities, the American Association of Marriage and Family 
Counselors, the National Conference of Executives of Associations for 
Retarded Citizens, National Rehabilitation Association, and the Buffalo 
Niagara Partnership. He was appointed to the President's Committee for 
People with Intellectual Disabilities by President Bush in 2006, a 
committee that I had the pleasure of nominating him for once again.
   During my years as an elected official I have worked closely with 
Dr. Boles and People, Inc. The work they do is incredible and 
necessary. From creating and maintaining group homes across Western New 
York, easing the pain of families and individuals that need their care, 
to advocacy for the human services on local, state, and national 
levels, Dr. Boles was consistently at the forefront. As stigma 
surrounding the disabled decreases and awareness of conditions and care 
needed rises, it is in no small part due to the work of Dr. Boles.
   Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to honor the 
amazing accomplishments of James M. Boles Ed.D. during his career and 
to congratulate him on the occasion of his retirement. I am certain his 
advocacy for those with disabilities will not cease with his retirement 
from People Inc., and his enduring legacy will impact our community for 
years to come.

                          ____________________