[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 10 (Thursday, January 18, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF JAMES BALYS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2024

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Chief James G. Balys on the occasion of his retirement from the Erie 
County Sheriff's Office, and to thank him for the dedication and 
commitment he demonstrated to his community through his long and 
distinguished career in law enforcement and corrections.
  Chief Balys began his law enforcement career as a Deputy Sheriff 
under Sheriff Thomas Higgins in October of 1995, was promoted to 
Sergeant in February of 2013, then Lieutenant in August of 2016, and 
Captain in July of 2020. Finally, he joined the Command Staff in July 
of 2021 as 1st Deputy Superintendent of Correctional Health and six 
months later was promoted to Chief of Correctional Health. Through all 
of these roles, Chief Balys demonstrated a commitment to service to the 
public, to upholding the rule of law, and to his fellow officers. 
Before his service as a sworn officer in the Erie County Sheriff's 
Office, he supported the protection of public safety as an electrician 
with the Buffalo Fire Department.
  Chief Balys can now enjoy a well-earned retirement with Jeanine 
Colpoys, his wife of 29 years, and his children Allison, Olivia and 
Ryan. Like myself, Chief Balys is an alumnus of Buffalo State College; 
he grew up in West Seneca, NY.
  Again, I commend Chief Balys for his long and distinguished career 
and thank him for his dedication to the safety of the public and the 
rule of law. His commitment has been exemplary.

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