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




    HONORING GAYLE SYPOSS FOR HER 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, my hometown county Democratic 
committee gathered recently to honor the longtime chair of the City of 
Tonawanda Democratic committee, Gayle Syposs, to commemorate her 
service both to her community and to the Democratic Party.
   A career public servant, Gayle has in the past served as an elected 
member of her hometown city council, as a civil servant and appointed 
public servant in county government, and at present once again serving 
her hometown as the Tonawanda City Clerk, where its elected 
leadership--be they Republican or Democratically affiliated--agree that 
her experience and institutional knowledge was critically important 
when the longtime incumbent city clerk retired in 2015.
   But it is how Gayle came to public life that helps illustrate what 
is great about America, and about how committed people, working 
together, can be an effective voice for the communities they love.
   In the 1970s, New York State government had plans to ``improve'' 
transportation in the city of Tonawanda--but the local community didn't 
think much of it. The state wanted to change Niagara Street into a four 
lane highway, which would have turned this main thoroughfare adjacent 
to the city's waterfront parks into a dangerous highway totally not in 
keeping with the needs and wants of city residents, destroying the 
city's character in the process.
   This ill-conceived action midwifed the birth of a great civic and 
political activist in Gayle Syposs. After reading a newspaper article 
detailing the number of old-growth trees destined to be removed to 
build this highway, Gayle formed a citizens' committee that 
successfully fought the state's top-down plan, preserving Niagara 
Street and the character of her hometown the right way, in a 
grassroots, bottom-up fashion, energizing and educating neighbors to 
join the fight.
   Today, Niagara Street remains as it was, a low-speed thoroughfare 
adjacent to county and city parks, preserved, we hope, in perpetuity 
for the enjoyment of residents and families during each of Western New 
York's great four seasons. Gayle's activism spawned a career in public 
service and politics, leading her to 6 non-consecutive terms on the 
city council, and into greater governmental and political activism--
something from which so many Western New York Democrats have benefited.
   Indeed, while I have known Gayle for the better part of thirty 
years, I have come to benefit most directly since her city was included 
into my congressional district in 2012. In addition to being a 
steadfast supporter, Gayle has been a friend and an important link for 
me and for my staff to her local community--a service she has been kind 
enough to provide to me and to the people I work to serve.
   Gayle is, as I mentioned, currently the chair of the city of 
Tonawanda's Democratic Committee, but that is only one of many titles 
she has held. While she has served as chair as long as many of us can 
remember, she also serves as Chair of the Erie County Association of 
Town Chairs, as Treasurer of the county Democratic party, and as a 
member of the New York State Democratic Committee.
   A few weeks ago, Gayle was honored by our Erie County Democratic 
Committee as the 2017 recipient of the Joseph F. Crangle Legacy Award. 
Named for our legendary former county and state chairman, this award is 
the gold standard for local Democrats; it rightfully raises Gayle's 
name among the great leaders of our party.
   But no one should imagine that earning this award will mean that 
Gayle will slow down anytime soon. Gayle will likely read this speech, 
reflect upon it for a few moments, and quickly move on to a call she 
recently received about a broken sidewalk, or pass along the resume of 
a neighbor's college-aged grandson who is looking for an opportunity as 
he works his way through college. Gayle's dedication to her country, 
her community and, yes, her party, represent all that is great about 
Western New York, and I am thankful for the opportunity to honor her 
and to have the House take note of the many positive contributions she 
has made throughout our community.

                          ____________________