[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15553]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF GERALD R. PIGEON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and 
memory of Mr. Gerald R. Pigeon, a resident of Western New York who 
dedicated his life to his country, his community and his family--a life 
cut short by a tragic accident on July 9, 2005.
  A Buffalo, New York native, Mr. Pigeon was born on July 18, 1936 and 
as a young man attended South Park High School, where he graduated in 
1954.
  In 1956, Mr. Pigeon left Western New York on a mission to serve this 
great Nation. For the next 6 years he was trained as an air traffic 
controller in the United States Air Force. Following an honorable 
discharge, Mr. Pigeon used the skills he learned in the military to 
earn a living in St. Louis and Chicago.
  After starting a family with his wife, Barbara, in 1972 Mr. Pigeon 
decided to come back to his hometown and raise his children in the Town 
of West Seneca, a suburb of Buffalo.
  Upon returning Mr. Pigeon earned a bachelor's degree in psychology 
from the State University of New York at Buffalo, after which he 
devoted his energy as a public servant in the Town of West Seneca 
Department of Building and Grounds, where he worked for the next 24 
years.
  In addition to his commitment to his job, Mr. Pigeon was 
enthusiastically involved in his community as a coach and referee for 
the West Seneca Youth Hockey Organization, a member of the Father Baker 
Council, Knights of Columbus, a fourth-degree member of Father John 
Schaus Council 4652 Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of Queen of 
Heaven Catholic Church.
  Mr. Pigeon passed down his love for public service to his children 
including his son Steven who earned a law degree, was elected by the 
residents of Erie County's 9th District to serve in the Erie County 
Legislature and led the County's Democratic Party as Chairman of the 
Erie County Democratic Committee.
  In addition to leaving behind a legacy of service to this community, 
Mr. Pigeon leaves behind a loving family including his wife of 48 
years, two daughters, one son, four siblings, eleven grandchildren and 
step-grandchildren and one great grandchild.
  Thank you Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to recognize Mr. Gerald R. 
Pigeon, a man whose spirit and involvement has made a lasting mark on 
the Western New York Community.

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