[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15248]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING ROBERT G. WILMERS FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WESTERN NEW 
                             YORK COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 29, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Robert 
G. Wilmers, a man whose business expertise and community compassion has 
made a significant difference in Western New York.
  Since 1983 Mr. Wilmers has served as President and Chief Executive 
Officer of M&T Bank Corporation. At that time, M&T was a local, Buffalo 
based bank with holdings of approximately $2 billion.
  Over the last 22 years, under Mr. Wilmers leadership, the company has 
grown to one of the 20 largest banks in the United States with over 650 
branches, managing over $50 billion in assets and employing over 13,000 
people.
  While his financial accomplishments have been quite significant, his 
commitment to building a better Buffalo region has been equally 
profound. Last year Mr. Wilmers and his wife, Elizabeth, were 
recognized by the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County for corporate and 
personal donations to a number of local charities including: the 
Buffalo Zoo, the Darwin Martin House, Shea's Performing Arts Center, 
the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
  Mr. Wilmers has also taken a special interest in building a better 
future for Buffalo children through promoting education. This focus has 
involved contributing to enhancements at Buffalo Public School No. 68--
Westminster Community Charter School and helping sponsor the search for 
a new superintendent for the Buffalo Public School System.
  Furthermore, Mr. Wilmers has lent his finance skills to the Buffalo 
Fiscal Stability Board, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and a business 
leaders association called the ``Group of 18.''
  While Mr. Wilmers will continue to be involved professionally at M&T 
Bank, after over two decades of success, he has decided to relinquish 
his position as President and CEO of the Corporation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and gratitude I stand here 
today to recognize Robert Wilmers, a man who has dedicated his life to 
economic, community and social development. On behalf of the residents 
of Buffalo and Western New York, we are grateful for your enduring 
commitment to this area and wish you health and happiness in your new 
semi-retirement role.

                          ____________________