[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 3, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE HON. PAUL VOLCY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2015

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Paul Volcy, 
a former Buffalo City Court Judge and decorated Vietnam veteran. 
Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Volcy sought out adventure and faced the 
challenges soon wrought by life's thrills with an enterprising spirit 
and ``can-do'' attitude.
   Mr. Volcy was born and raised in the South Bronx, before moving back 
to his mother's homeland of Puerto Rico. After completing a semester at 
the University of Puerto Rico, Mr. Volcy soon realized his current 
pursuits were boring and unfulfilling. This realization led him to join 
the U.S. Army in 1966. He began his tour in Vietnam as a first 
lieutenant, but was soon promoted to captain. His bilingual ability and 
training in the Vietnamese language helped him function as a 
troubleshooter for his colonel in Saigon, and when supplies diminished, 
he had a unique ability to fill up shortages. At the end of his tour, 
which also included field duty, he was awarded a Bronze Star.
   After his military discharge, Mr. Volcy completed his Bachelor's 
Degree at the University of Puerto Rico and then returned to the United 
States to earn his law degree from the University at Buffalo. Post-
graduation, he briefly worked in private practice before recognizing 
his call to public service.
   Mr. Volcy became an attorney in the office of Buffalo's corporation 
counsel, working there for five years on civil rights cases, and then 
an additional two years in the New York State Attorney General's 
Office. In 2001, then-Mayor Anthony Masiello appointed Mr. Volcy as a 
City Court judge. After completing his term, Mr. Volcy returned to the 
Attorney General's Office in Buffalo, where he spent 10 years in the 
Court of Claims, specializing in defending against medical malpractice 
and in personal injury cases. He retired as an Assistant Attorney 
General in 2011.
   Complementing his passion for service was his knack for organizing 
and community activism. Mr. Volcy was a leader in the Buffalo Hispanic 
community and helped to found the Western New York Hispanic and 
Friend's Civic Association, an organization committed to social justice 
and empowerment of Buffalo's growing Hispanic community. Mr. Volcy was 
admired for his dedication to and tireless efforts toward empowering 
the Hispanic community.
   He enjoyed a wonderful life with his wife Susan and his daughter 
Suzanne.
   Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to celebrate 
the life of Mr. Paul Volcy. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Mr. Volcy and his contributions to the Buffalo community.

                          ____________________