[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5779-5780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLYMAN MARK J.F. SCHROEDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2007

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I offer these remarks today in honor of 
Mark J.F. Schroeder, Member of the Assembly of the State of New York, 
on the occasion of his being named Irishman of the Year by Goin' South, 
a prominent civic organization in my constituency.
  Rarely does one encounter a public servant so dedicated to the 
principles of good government and of selfless public service as 
Assemblyman Schroeder, who succeeded me in representing the people of 
the 145th Assembly District.
  One marvels at the tremendous ability he has demonstrated, in his 
work in the assembly and previously in the Erie County Legislature, to 
use the resources of elective office to make tangible improvements to 
the neighborhoods he represents, and in the lives of the constituents 
he so ably serves.
  While remaining vigilant with regard to his legislative 
responsibilities--Assemblyman Schroeder is highly regarded for the 
studiousness with which he considers each piece of legislation before 
him--Assemblyman Schroeder has also rolled up his sleeves and produced 
tangible results in the areas of neighborhood-based economic 
development and adult education in the communities he serves.

[[Page 5780]]

  A prime example of his successes in the area of neighborhood-based 
economic development is his creation of, and ongoing support for, the 
Greater South Buffalo Chamber of Commerce. Through this agency, he had 
demonstrably reduced commercial vacancy rates and otherwise 
dramatically improved business districts in his constituency.
  Now boasting 156 members, the Greater South Buffalo Chamber of 
Commerce encourages business development through the Irish Feis and 
Expo, a trade show and concert held in conjunction with Goin' South, a 
monthly newsletter, a high quality membership directory, a wide range 
of member benefits, involvement with a wide array of community events 
and projects, and enthusiastic and unwavering advocacy.
  Let me point out, Madam Speaker, that Assemblyman Schroeder's 
tremendous efforts with regard to improving the economic conditions in 
the neighborhoods he serves is surpassed only by his commitment to 
providing the most vulnerable among his constituents with the 
educational tools they need in order to build better lives for 
themselves and their families.
  I refer specifically to his creation of the South Buffalo Education 
Center, a school offering GED training to persons who had not completed 
high school. The South Buffalo Education Center has graduated more than 
200 persons, and has the highest graduation and retention rates of any 
GED program in New York State, it is truly an accomplishment of which 
he should be proud.
  Very few public servants can point to a series of tangible 
accomplishments as remarkable as those achieved by Assemblyman 
Schroeder, who has just begun his seventh year service to his community 
as an elected official. Despite this, the Assemblyman continues to 
expand the breadth and depth of his work with the development of 
Buffalo RiverFest Park.
  Expected to break ground later this year, the new riverfront park 
will be an integral component of the redevelopment of Buffalo's 
waterfront. Assemblyman Schroeder and his partners at the Valley 
Community Association have attracted $1.2 million in public and private 
funds to this important endeavor.
  Simply put, Madam Speaker, as a constituent of Assemblyman Mark J.F. 
Schroeder, I am proud that he is my Assemblyman, I am proud that he is 
a close colleague in both government and politics, and I am proud to 
call him my friend.

                          ____________________