[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 145 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING LIFE AND LEGACY OF MICHAEL GLAVEY

  (Mr. Kennedy of New York was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
and legacy of Michael Glavey, who tragically passed away on May 16, 
2026, at the age of 55. September 16 would have been Mike's 56th 
birthday.
  Mike was born and raised in south Buffalo by Kathy and the late Jack 
Glavey and grew up alongside his twin sister, Maureen, and their 
siblings, Karen, Kathleen, and John. Their childhood was filled with 
endless days playing outside with friends, family, camping trips, and 
plenty of shenanigans.
  Mike's early years instilled in him the values that he carried 
forward throughout his life: a deep appreciation for friendship, 
family, and hard work. Much of what Mike learned came from watching his 
father, Jack, working as his apprentice and seeing firsthand the pride 
that comes from a job well done.
  The boy who built forts and rebuilt bikes on Britt Avenue grew up to 
be an expert craftsman who made carpentry his career, joining the 
Carpenters Union Local 276. For more than 25 years, Mike served as the 
carpenter foreman at the University at Buffalo, where he oversaw 
construction sites big and small, taking enormous pride in his work. 
Like any good carpenter, Mike lived by the creed: Measure twice, cut 
once.

                              {time}  1100

  Mike ran point on just about every construction project in the Glavey 
family. His legacy lives on in the spaces he built for those he loved, 
leaving his mark in a very literal manner.
  He helped turn every vision his sisters, Karen, Kathleen, and 
Maureen, had into brick-and-mortar home-improvement projects. He argued 
with his brother, John, on how to properly hang drywall as they worked 
long hours together turning an old grocery store into a neighborhood 
restaurant. Most importantly, he was his mother's first phone call when 
something around his childhood home needed his trusted expertise.
  Wherever and whenever someone needed him, Mike was there. That same 
instinct to show up for others shaped the family he built with his wife 
Jennifer. They married in 1998 and together raised their children, 
Mikey and Allie. Mikey and Allie were his pride and joy.
  Mikey was his sidekick. Mike took him everywhere. He taught him, 
guided him, and found tremendous joy in every adventure they shared in 
Jack Glavey's classic blue convertible.
  Mike adored Allie. He was immensely proud of her accomplishments as a 
young architect, her world travels, and her willingness to take on new 
challenges. Mike was her biggest supporter and relished their debates 
over architecture versus carpentry.
  He was also the loving uncle to several nieces and nephews, each of 
whom will forever remember the infectious laugh and warm embrace of 
their beloved Uncle Mike.
  Mike Glavey embodied the very best of who we aspire to be. He was a 
man of character, a dependable friend, and an extraordinarily devoted 
father.
  To Mikey, Allie, Jennifer, Kathy, and the entire Glavey family, our 
community and our Nation mourn with you. May Michael Glavey rest in 
peace.


 Celebrating 25th Anniversary of Western New York Area Labor Federation

  Mr. KENNEDY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
25th anniversary of the Western New York Area Labor Federation.
  For 25 years, the WNYALF has fought to ensure working people in our 
community have a strong voice to secure higher wages, safer workplaces, 
better benefits, and greater economic stability for themselves and 
their families.
  The Buffalo-Niagara region was built by labor unions. They built our 
factories, our roads, our schools, our neighborhoods, and the 
communities that we call home.
  I want to recognize my dear friend, the president of the WNYALF, 
Denise Abbott, and the countless union members, organizers, stewards, 
and leaders who have carried this movement forward. Under Denise's 
leadership, the WNYALF continues the essential work of bringing 
fairness and dignity to the workplace and putting more money into the 
pockets of working families.
  The future of western New York will be built by working people, and 
we will always fight to ensure that organized labor is the defining 
force in building that future.
  I congratulate the Western New York Area Labor Federation on one-
quarter century of solidarity, service, and strength. Here is to the 
next 25 years and many, many more to come.

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