[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 179 (Friday, November 8, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE CAREER AND SERVICE OF MAYOR PAUL DYSTER

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 8, 2019

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and legacy of city of Niagara Falls mayor, Paul Dyster, as he 
prepares to step down from public office. Mayor Dyster has served his 
community with dignity and consistently strived to revitalize Niagara 
falls. He leaves behind an outstanding legacy of progress and growth in 
his community.
  Mayor Dyster began his political career in 2000, when he was elected 
to the Niagara Falls City Council and served for three years. In 2006, 
the Niagara Gazette named Paul Dyster ``Citizen of the Year.'' That 
same year the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center granted him the 
``Good Neighbor Award.'' Mayor Dyster has often taken his leadership 
outside of politics as a youth mentor, serving as scoutmaster of Boy 
Scouts of America Troop 801 and Whirlpool Little League basketball 
coach for a season.
  In 2017, Mayor Dyster won the hotly contested mayoral race and was 
subsequently re-elected in 2011 and 2015. I have had the pleasure of 
working closely with Mayor Dyster throughout his three terms in office 
as he made great advancements to the City of Niagara Falls and 
contributed to the revitalization of the city. He saw to the completion 
of a new courthouse and public safety building, as well as a new Amtrak 
train station. He restored the historic customhouse in Niagara Falls 
and began the destruction of the Niagara Falls Scenic Parkway to begin 
development of New Niagara Gorge State Park. All these accomplishments 
made Niagara Falls a more desirable destination for visitors and for 
residents.
  Mayor Dyster strives to better the world outside of his mayoral 
duties and will continue to do so after his term is over. Environmental 
causes are near to his heart which is evidenced by his roles as Board 
Emeritus for Buffalo-Niagara Riverkeeper, spokesman for the Niagara 
River Environmental Coalition, and as a founding member of the Niagara 
Waterfront Revitalization Task force.
  Mayor Dyster is, in his own words, a servant leader who has always 
promoted the revitalization and preservation of his community. His work 
always emphasizes community activism, restoration, and conservation. In 
his time away from public office, he will be able to focus on his other 
passions, home brewing and fishing, and quality time with his wife 
Rebecca and sons, Ian and Bert. I have no doubt that he will remain 
dedicated to serving his community in other roles. As he steps down 
from the office he has occupied for over a decade, he leaves big shoes 
to fill.

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