[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 159 (Friday, October 4, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1243-E1244]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF 
                            GREATER BUFFALO

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 4, 2019

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge 
with gratitude and admiration the Centennial Anniversary of the 
Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo, which since its establishment 
in 1919 has enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in Western 
New York. Throughout the decades, visionary leadership, dedicated staff 
and giving donors have built on this Foundation's century of commitment 
to connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives throughout 
our region. For 100 years, the Community Foundation's proven record of 
accountability, sustainability and transparency has made the most of 
the generosity of individuals, families, foundations and organizations 
who entrust charitable assets to the Foundation's care. Currently, the 
stated goals of the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo are to 
improve educational achievement and workforce readiness for low-income 
residents, increase racial equity, protect and restore significant 
environmental resources and promote equitable access, and strengthen 
the region as a center for architecture, arts and culture.
  This stalwart organization for local philanthropy proposes, plans, 
implements and supports many impactful collaborative initiatives. These 
include Say Yes Buffalo, working to remove barriers preventing Buffalo 
students from achieving academic success and Read to Succeed, helping 
children reach their highest potential and awards over two million 
dollars in annual scholarships to students in the area. Insistent on 
results-oriented outcomes that improves the health outcomes for 
families and neighborhoods remains a primary focus of this Foundation's 
award winning Green and Healthy Homes Initiative and the Wipe Out Lead 
program.
  Racial equity is one of the primary community goals of the Community 
Foundation believing that we must ensure all members of our region can 
fulfill their highest potential. Through active support of the Greater 
Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable which includes more than 210 partners 
working together in different capacities to advance racial and ethnic 
equity and accelerate shared regional prosperity. Preserving and 
protecting the heritage of the Michigan Street Baptist Church, 
Buffalo's oldest African American church remains the life work of the 
Buffalo Freedom Station Coalition. Capacity building provided by the 
Community Foundation has helped enhance the efforts of this all-
volunteer group dedicated to commemorating and deepening the 
understanding of the historical role Buffalo residents played in the 
civil rights and abolitionist movements.
  Twenty percent of the world's freshwater runs through our region and 
the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo is playing a critical role 
in preserving and restoring Western New York's environmental resources. 
Convened by the Community Foundation, the Western New York 
Environmental Alliance, is now an independent, member-run coalition of 
more than 80 organizations working to protect and steward our natural 
assets. Our proximity to two Great Lakes and a series of rivers, creeks 
and streams is highly valued by the Community Foundation as they team 
with other similar foundations to form the Great Lakes One Water 
Partnership to advance a new era of water management to benefit people 
and businesses in the Great Lakes Basin. Cleaner water, remediated land 
and greener public parks help to foster stronger communal bonds and as 
such, it is imperative that it is truly accessible to all in our 
community, region and beyond our borders.

[[Page E1244]]

  The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo proudly extols and 
celebrates the rich history of architecture, arts and culture that 
makes Western New York home to the work and legacy of such legends as 
Louise Bethune, Joseph Dart, Frank Lloyd Wright, H.H. Richardson, 
Frederick Law Olmsted and Louis Sullivan. Recognizing the value of 
preservation, performance and visitor experiences delivered with 
authenticity and creative energy, the Community Foundation continues to 
invest in organizations that strengthen these sectors. Their 
understanding of the significant economic impact of such inspirational 
and unique treasures has led to more than doubling their investment in 
just the last five years. Arts and culture are alive, thriving and 
attracting international recognition and adding to our quality of life 
thanks to such sustained support.
  It is in making that connection between the past and present that the 
Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo has chosen the Kleinhans Music 
Hall as the venue for ``The Centennials'' celebration on Tuesday, 
September 24. Edward and Mary Seaton Kleinhans left a gift in 1934 
directing the Foundation to build ``a suitable music hall for the 
people of Buffalo.'' The Foundation ensured their vision was realized 
and now, 80 years later, their gift continues to provide a home for the 
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, world-class performances and personal 
milestones. Looking to the future, this celebration will award one 
million dollars in honor of 12 local change makers who have made a 
difference in the lives of Western New Yorkers through a community-wide 
nomination process. As stated by the Foundation's current President and 
CEO Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, ``The Centennials will celebrate 
everything we stand for as an organiztion--focused forward.''
  Again, I wish to acknowledge, congratulate and praise the Community 
Foundation of Greater Buffalo on their Hundred Years of extraordinary 
generosity, impressive accomplishments and collaborative engagement 
that has improved lives and continues to drive positive change 
throughout Western New York. Their celebration is well-deserved, and we 
stand ready to work with them as the next century of opportunity and 
growth begins for The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

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