[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5456-H5457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING ROBERT T. SCOTT, PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF ST. JOSEPH'S 
                          COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Kennedy) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mr. Robert T. 
Scott as he is bestowed the prestigious title of president emeritus of 
St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute in Buffalo, New York.
  Mr. Scott began his career as a religion teacher at St. Joseph's 
Collegiate Institute, affectionately known as St. Joe's, in 1971. Over 
the years, he served as a social studies teacher, vice principal, 
principal, and president.
  In 2001, Mr. Scott earned his letters of affiliation, the highest 
honor awarded by the Institute of Brothers of Christian Schools, the 
religious order that founded St. Joe's in 1861.
  Mr. Scott retired in 2018 after an extraordinary 48-year career at 
the all-boys high school.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Scott has exemplified the mission of St. 
Joe's: to transform the lives of students from diverse backgrounds 
through academic excellence and care, rooted in a Lasallian Catholic 
community, developing and cultivating each student's

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unique talents in preparation for college and life.
  The students that Mr. Scott impacted throughout his tenure have 
excelled in their personal and professional lives in large part due to 
his mentorship and dedication.
  Today, he continues to inspire all who know him, sharing his 
compassion and dedication to his family, friends, colleagues, and 
community.
  I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Scott as my former principal 
and now my friend. The lessons he imparted went beyond academics. They 
instilled in me the values of integrity, leadership, and perseverance. 
For that, I am forever grateful and continue to carry his influence 
with me each and every day.
  In retirement, he has cherished the opportunity to spend more time 
with his beloved family--his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and 
his four brothers--creating lasting memories with those closest to him 
while still giving back to the institution he poured his life into.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Mr. Robert T. Scott 
on an inspiring career and the continuation of his commitment to 
education and the Lasallian tradition as president emeritus of St. 
Joseph's Collegiate Institute.
  May St. John Baptist de la Salle pray for us. May Jesus live in our 
hearts forever. Go St. Joe's Marauders.


              Remembering Dominic ``Nick'' Bonifacio, Jr.

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of former 
Buffalo Common Council Member Dominic ``Nick'' Bonifacio, Jr., who 
passed on August 2.
  Nick was a hardworking and dedicated leader who made a lasting impact 
on Buffalo and everyone whose lives he touched.
  With deep roots in the city, he was one of three children born to 
Dominic J. Bonifacio, Sr., and Ruth Boundy Bonifacio. After attending 
School 77, Nick graduated from Hutch-Tech High School in 1966, where he 
was a leader on the field and on the court, competing on the baseball 
team, the cross-country team, and the varsity basketball team.
  In college, Nick became involved in mentoring and serving Buffalo 
youth. He was the director of the Butler Mitchell Boys and Girls Club 
and worked to create a place for young people to find camaraderie and 
receive mentorship.
  Nick became a recreation instructor for the city of Buffalo in 1996, 
while also taking on the responsibilities of being the program director 
and an interim executive director for the Buffalo Police Athletic 
League.
  In 1999, he became a member of the Buffalo Common Council. During his 
tenure, he fought to make Buffalo better, taking on projects like 
cracking down on absentee landlords and creating what is now Freedom 
Park along the Niagara River. Addressing health concerns, he led a 
project to install sidewalks and plant vegetation in Buffalo.
  While chair of the council's police reorganization committee, and 
during his time as member of the Peace Bridge advisory panel, he 
protected residential neighborhoods from commercial expansion.
  A baseball player at heart, he was a star pitcher and founded the 
Butler Mitchell baseball program in 1975. Four years later, he was 
coaching nine different teams. Nick even filled in when needed at a 
handful of Buffalo Bisons games. In 2010, as recognition for his love 
of and service through baseball, he was inducted in the Western New 
York Baseball Hall of Fame.
  Nick leaves behind his brother, Joseph, many loving nieces and 
nephews, and many friends.
  Madam Speaker, he will be missed. May my friend, Nick Bonifacio, rest 
in peace.

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