[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 218 (Monday, December 21, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1196]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF FRANK J. McGUIRE

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 21, 2020

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
life of Mr. Frank J. McGuire. Mr. McGuire passed away on July 7, 2020 
at the age of 92, after a lifetime of business and community 
leadership, philanthropy and service to Buffalo and Western New York.
  His contributions are so many in so many arenas, including economic, 
civic, cultural and charitable that even his son found it difficult to 
describe so he let the quote that guided his father's work speak to how 
Frank McGuire lived his life. ``A ship is safe in the harbor, but that 
is not what ships were built for.'' As reported in the Buffalo News, 
this well respected and well-known leader, ``was not afraid of risk or 
challenge, and always described as brilliant, tough, honest and fair.''
  Frank McGuire was a job creator and a generator of opportunity; he 
was an entrepreneur for decades before that term became more widely 
embraced and celebrated. Still working into his nineties as chairman of 
the McGuire Group, Frank McGuire never acquired titles, he built 
companies--30 of them--giving 1,700 people employment and careers as an 
industry leader in the fields of construction, health care, commercial 
and industrial real estate development.
  His roots were anchored into the South Buffalo community as the 
oldest of five sons of Frank J. McGuire Sr. and the former Mary Kelly, 
and a graduate of Holy Family School and South Park High School. 
Sergeant McGuire served his country honorably from 1946 to 1948 having 
joined the U.S. Army after becoming an electrician.
  His ability to lead was recognized by his fellow classmates as he was 
president of the School of Engineering of the University at Buffalo 
Class of 1953. His work as an electrician during his college days took 
him to new heights as he personally climbed to install the aircraft 
beacon light at the top of a local radio tower. If there was a 
challenge to be met, Frank McGuire was the man to step up to get it 
done.
  His innate skill set was more fully on display as an employee of 
General Electric Company where at the age of 26, he became one of the 
youngest managers and contributed to the design and development of the 
nuclear reactors used in the first atomic submarines. Those experiences 
formed the foundation on which this pioneer took his limited savings 
and with the support of his parents, who mortgaged their home, founded 
his first company, Industrial Power & Lighting Corporation. This 
electrical engineering and construction organization became a 
powerhouse completing more than $200 million in projects throughout 
upstate New York, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado and Alaska and 
became the first American company of its kind to work in the People's 
Republic of China in 1981. Real estate development in Western New York 
and Florida would follow as well and expansion into health care 
operating nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Western New York, 
Long Island and Michigan.
  While expanding his businesses locally, nationally and 
internationally, he always gave back to his community as he led the 
Chamber of Commerce in the 1970s with a focus on bringing back jobs. 
Even an unsuccessful run for political office never steered him from 
public service as he served as a trustee of the New York State Urban 
Development Corporation and was chairman of the Western New York 
Economic Development Corporation. His efforts as a member of the New 
York Sportsplex Committee secured state funding for the Buffalo Bisons 
baseball stadium and as a major player on the Business Backs the Bills 
Committee in the late 1990s, he certainly contributed to our beloved 
football team still calling Buffalo its home.
  I, like many others, sought his counsel and can attest to his direct 
and no-nonsense way the exchange of ideas, priorities and strategies 
were debated. You knew where you stood with Frank McGuire as he knew 
the value of family, faith, friendship and loyalty. He knew the value 
of a job well done and always kept his focus on creating and expanding 
employment opportunities for the community that gave him his start.
  Though never seeking the spotlight, his generosity and significant 
contributions to numerous charities were deservedly recognized. These 
included University at Buffalo School of Management Niagara Frontier 
Executive award in 2001, the United Way Tocqueville Society 
Philanthropist of the year in 2007, and Business First's Lifetime 
Achievement Award in 2013.
  Madam Speaker, I honor the trailblazing legacy of Frank J. McGuire. 
He embodied the passion, energy, and commitment to cause that makes 
Buffalo unique. We will forever be grateful for his outstanding service 
and leadership. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife, Donna, his 
children, grandchildren and the friends and family of the McGuire 
Group.

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