[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 38 (Monday, March 6, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E273-E274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING SAM SCINTA FOR HIS DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 6, 2017

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. Sam 
Scinta, a dedicated volunteer for the Democratic Party and resident of 
Tonawanda, New York. Sam's tireless service is recognized today by his 
friends on the City of Tonawanda Democratic Committee. Sam has 
committed countless hours to further Democratic causes in our community 
and is most deserving of the City of Tonawanda Democratic Committee's 
Man of the Year Award.
   Sam was raised in Buffalo, New York where he attended Public School 
76 and Hutchinson Central High School. In 1954, he enlisted in the U.S. 
Navy. He is a Korean War Veteran and worked in aviation as a line 
captain and mechanic. He served in Kingsville, Texas, in a Patrol 
Squadron in San Diego, and in the Philippine Islands, until he was 
discharged in 1958.
   In 1959, Sam began his career with the Erie Rail Road as a 
locomotive fireman and was promoted to locomotive engineer in 1966. 
When the Erie Rail Road merged with the Lackawanna Rail Road, he became 
active in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen as an 
organizer, rising to the rank of Vice President, then Local Chairman. 
Following a union merge he became Local Chairman of the United 
Transportation Union. In 1976, he went to work for Con Rail after the 
North East Railroads merged, where he served as a locomotive engineer 
until his retirement in 1999.
   Sam moved to Tonawanda in 1998 and following his retirement became 
active in the City of Tonawanda Democratic Committee and has served as 
Vice Chairman of the Committee for over a decade. One example of his 
dedication is Sam's command of the Smoothie Booth for the City 
Committee's fundraiser during Canal Fest since 2003. He constructs the 
booth, does the scheduling, works in the booth and is there from open 
to closing all 8 days. Each year, Sam puts in a long day at the 
Committee's annual picnic in August. Sam is also the proud custodian of 
the Committee's banner.

[[Page E274]]

   As a volunteer on Hillary Clinton's successful campaign for Senator 
in 2000, and at Congresswoman Louise Slaughter's campaign headquarters 
in 2001, Sam worked tirelessly. In 2005 he hopped on board Legislator 
Michele Iannello's campaign. Following her victory, Sam went to work 
for Legislator Iannello in her district office for 2006 and 2007. In 
2008, he went to work for the Erie County Board of Elections and 
retired again in June, 2016.
   Sam is the loving father of Sam James Scinta and daughter-in-law 
Kerry, and a proud grandfather to Sam Jr. and Anthony. As a proud 
family man, while Sam's son was young, Sam coached and served as 
President of the Little League at Public School 81 in the 1970's.
   Mr. Speaker, I honor Mr. Sam Scinta and his dedication to Democratic 
politics and our community. Sam's commitment and dependability are 
admirable and I am pleased to be able to recognize him today with the 
City of Tonawanda Democratic Committee as they present to him their Man 
of the Year Award.

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