[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 17952-17953]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO AUGUSTINE OLIVENCIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the many personal 
and professional accomplishments of Augustine Olivencia. Mr. Olivencia, 
known by one and all as ``Chito,'' is a true leader for all western New 
Yorkers.

[[Page 17953]]

  Professionally, Chito has served for many years as Superintendent of 
Ellicott Creek Park in the town of Tonawanda, and his service in that 
role has been exemplary. But Chito has truly made his mark as a 
dedicated activist within his beloved Hispanic community. In fact, for 
public officials living throughout western New York, many conversations 
with Chito both begin and end with a playful but serious reminder that 
the Hispanic community remains a growing constituency in western New 
York, and that collectively the community remains a force with which to 
be reckoned.
  Chito serves as Chairman of the Board at the Augustine ``Pucho'' 
Olivencia Community Center in Buffalo. Named for Chito's late father, 
the Olivencia Center works to provide the community with educational 
and recreational services and preserve the culture of this proud 
community. Every year, Chito chairs the Community Center's Annual 
Greased Pole Festival, a weekend of events. In addition, each January 
Chito hosts the annual Three Kings Day celebration to educate and 
entertain children from the throughout the community and beyond.
  In addition, Chito serves as President of Nosotros, the largest 
Hispanic political organization in western New York, which owns the 
Fiesta Latina show that airs in the evenings on WHLD-AM. Chito has also 
volunteered his time to the renowned Sts. Columba-Brigid Roman Catholic 
Church by hosting masses for a year after a fire destroyed the Church 
in 2006.
  Chito's desire to learn about other cultures is vast. In June 2004, 
Chito was the local Project Interchange Designee by the American Jewish 
Committee Buffalo-Niagara Chapter. In that capacity, Chito traveled to 
Israel as part of the cultural exchange program. During the trip, he 
met with civic and political leaders in Israel, briefing members of the 
local AJC chapter upon his return.
  Lastly, I cannot end this speech without a few words about Chito's 
long career in Democratic politics. Chito has been a Democratic 
Committeeman in Erie County for longer than many current committee 
members have been alive, and his allegiance to the Democratic Party is 
legendary. From elections to the Buffalo School Board to Congress and 
the White House, Chito's commitment to the political process and to 
enhancing suffrage throughout the Hispanic community has been 
remarkable.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Chito Olivencia for 
all that he has done for the western New York community, and join me in 
celebrating his retirement from active service in Erie County 
government.

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