[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 13433-13435] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE LIFE OF JACKIE SCHMID ______ HON. BRIAN HIGGINS of new york in the house of representatives Thursday, August 2, 2012 Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, Monday July 23 started like any other day in our congressional [[Page 13434]] offices. But shortly after noontime, the unthinkable happened. Our office was called by our dear friend Sandi Schmid. During that call, Sandi told our District Director Megan Corbett Rizzuto that her daughter, our longtime Executive Assistant and Office Manager Jackie Schmid, had suddenly passed away. To suggest that we were blown away is a severe understatement. There's little that can be said at a time like this, when someone so young is taken suddenly from our midst. Jackie was universally loved among civic, government and political leaders throughout our community. Acting as the hub of our Buffalo office, Jackie was at the center of all of the action, and played a role in virtually everything our office would do for the constituents I was elected to serve. On Saturday July 28, Sandi and the rest of Jackie's family honored me by asking that I eulogize her by sharing a few thoughts about her life and legacy. Jackie was a giver, a contributor. She gave more than she got--a lot more. She gave so much of her time and of herself to the many causes she loved so much. Mr. Speaker, within this extension, you will see the remarks I delivered last Saturday in honor of Jackie, and you will also see the obituaries published in the Buffalo News and the Am-Pol Eagle. Eulogy of Jackie Schmid Delivered by the Honorable Brian Higgins, St. John Gualbert Church, Cheektowaga, NY, Saturday, July 28, 2012 St. John Gualbert was an 11th century Benedictine monk. One Good Friday, he entered Florence with armed followers and came upon a man who had killed his brother. He was about to kill the man in revenge. Suddenly the man fell to his knees, said he was sorry and begged Gualbert to be spared. Gualbert spared him, forgave him and helped the man to his feet. He encouraged the man to go forth and do good for the world. Gualbert then entered the Benedictine Church in Florence to pray, and the figure on the crucifix bowed his head to in recognition of Gualbert's act of mercy and forgiveness to his fellow man. This is a story of redemption and second chances. Thank you, Father Michael Burzynski for welcoming us to your beautiful church this morning. You make us feel very much at home here, and Jackie would be most proud of you and of this loving community. St. John Gualbert's was Jackie's spiritual home. She attended grammar school here and remained very active in support of this church throughout her adult life and her final days. Today we say goodbye to the only daughter of Sandi and Bill Schmid. A loyal friend, a beloved colleague in government and politics, a civic leader and Polonia's goodwill ambassador to WNY and to the world. A leader like few others, holding important positions within the Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra, the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission, the Pulaski Day celebrations, the Cheektowaga July 4 celebrations, the Annual Western New York Dyngus Day celebrations, the Cheektowaga Democratic Committee, and so much more. In fact, the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce named Jackie as its ``Citizen of the Year'' for 2012--an award that will now be bestowed posthumously. Jackie's was an impressive list of civil and cultural engagement. Someone once said to Sandi: ``Jackie runs everything in Cheektowaga.'' To which Sandi replied, ``Not everything. She never ran the vacuum cleaner, or the washing machine, or an iron.'' But while it is her civic involvement that she will be remembered and honored for, it is her loving and generous heart that we will truly miss. I along with my colleagues in our Congressional office knew her as a trusted friend and advisor. Jackie was loved and admired by her colleagues-- truly loved and admired. She held the title of Executive Assistant, but she was much more than that. She ran the office and set the tone for our workspace. Jackie organized birthday parties for her colleagues and helped with weddings and showers, and any time there was a need for someone to provide music, to find tables and chairs or to secure a hall for a fund raising event, Jackie always ``had a guy.'' She was always ready, she was always ``on it,'' and incredibly willing to help. Jackie directed our student interns and was so loved by them that she would often receive phone calls and postcards from them long after their service was completed. She engendered a rare degree of love, respect and loyalty. She was charismatic and had a following of dutiful friends who would eagerly walk through walls for her. There was one persistent constituent caller who routinely called Jackie with his complaint of the day. Something he had seen on television or had heard on talk radio, often fueled by a vote I had taken with which he had disagreed. Jackie was polite but would give it right back to him when he crossed the line. One Christmas Eve he called not with a complaint, but rather to wish Jackie a Merry Christmas. Because Jackie was kind to him and showed a respect a caring that he rarely received. If Jackie loved you, you knew it. If Jackie liked you, you knew it. If Jackie didn't like you, you didn't know it. But we did! Lyndsey Barnes is our newest staff member. She said that she was originally reluctant to accept a position in our office because she was uncertain that she could handle the job responsibilities. Chuck Eaton, our chief of staff, said, ``The job, you can learn. But you get along with everyone. And most importantly, Jackie likes you.'' Jackie gave Lyndsey the confidence and encouragement she needed to get off to a good start in our office. And she always provided friendship to her. Carol Burns and Bill Greeley often gave Jackie a hard time about all of the events Jackie would organize in Cheektowaga, civic polka parties and church fundraising events among dozens of others. Jackie would remind them, ``Listen. On my first day of work, the Congressman told me that my job was to keep Cheektowaga happy--and that's what I'm doing.'' Jackie not only kept Cheektowaga happy, Cheektowaga is what Jackie lived for and loved. At the funeral home for yesterday's wake, seventeen different people introduced themselves to me as Jackie's best friend. Many more thought they were as well; that was her gift to all of you and all of us. Unconditional love, devotion and friendship. Not only did they make their way because of Jackie's love, she made her way because of theirs. And especially because the love and the life she found in her mom Sandi. Theirs was not always an easy relationship. Like with any relationship, they had their moments. But Sandi always gave Jackie strength and purpose, joy and friendship, and stood by her always, especially in these last and hardest days. None of us can know or certain how long we have on this earth. We cannot know what hardship and tragedy will test us along the way. We cannot know what God's plan is for us. What we can do is live our lives as best we can with purpose, and love and joy. We can leave bitterness and that which is unimportant behind, to reach beyond for love and forgiveness. We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. And we can use each day to show those who we are closest to us how much we care about them, and how much we love them. And we can treat others with the kindness and respect that we wish for ourselves. This is Jackie's legacy. This is how she lived her life. We do not grieve today because of the prestige and praise attached to her name. We grieve because we loved this kind and giving woman. A woman who was moved, not for the sake of greed or self-aggrandizement, not for wealth or power, but only for the people and community that she loved so very much. Jackie has gone home now guided by her faith and by the light of those she loved and lost. At last she is with them once more leaving those of us who grieve her passing with the memories she gave and the good that she did. Today, St. Peter is at the gates of Heaven, sitting at the table, selling split club tickets. God has turned to Peter and said, ``Slide over. Jackie is here now. She's on it.'' May God Bless Jackie, and may she rest in eternal peace. ____ [From the Buffalo News, July 26, 2012] Jacquelyn A. Schmid, Higgins' Executive Assistant Jacquelyn A. Schmid, executive assistant to Rep. Brian Higgins and well known as a community and civic leader, died unexpectedly Monday in her Cheektowaga home. She was 51. Ms. Schmid over the years achieved a key position in the congressman's Buffalo operation, essentially serving as office manager--and, in the words of one staffer, ``organizer extraordinaire.'' Her colleagues say she achieved that status through her ability to deal with people, an essential skill for those in the world of politics and government. She was active in many community and Polish heritage organizations as well as Democratic politics. Higgins called her ``Polonia's goodwill ambassador to Western New York.'' ``Jackie was a big part of our team,'' he said. ``She had a unique relationship with each and every person based on loyalty and good humor, as well.'' ``She had a cult following of friends who really loved her,'' he added, ``all a result of her special charisma.'' A graduate of St. John Gualbert Elementary and Villa Maria Academy, Ms. Schmid also attended Erie Community College. She was a member of Dyngus Day Buffalo and the point person in planning the Pvt. Leonard Post Pre-Dyngus and Dyngus Day celebrations. Four years ago, she helped found the Cheektowaga Crabapple Festival for families to enjoy at Cheektowaga Town Park and served as general manager of the Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Schmid was also a staff writer for the Am-Pol Eagle, where she wrote a weekly column on Polonia, and annually organized the St. John Gualbert chicken dinner and theme basket auction. As a vice chairwoman of the Cheektowaga Democratic Party, Ms. Schmid played a key role in petition drives, fundraisers and Election Day activities. She was elected as a district committeewoman for many years. [[Page 13435]] She was recognized by the Buffalo Bisons in 2008 as Polish- American of the Year for her decades of service to the Polish community, including stints with the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission, Cheektowaga Polish American Arts Festival and General Pulaski Association. Her final public event occurred the day before she died, as she supervised the Pulaski Day Parade--at which she became a familiar figure directing activities from behind the reviewing stand--which capped off the annual Cheektowaga Polish Arts Festival in Cheektowaga Town Park. In September, Ms. Schmid was to be honored by the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce as its ``Citizen of the Year.'' The award will now be bestowed posthumously. She is survived by her mother, Alexandra ``Sandi'' Lawkowski Schmid; her father, William F. Sr.; and a brother, William F. Jr. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday in St. John Gualbert Catholic Church, Gualbert Avenue at Doat Street, where Higgins will deliver the eulogy. ____ [From the Am-Pol Eagle] Jackie Schmid Dies Am-Pol Eagle's polka columnist, polka promoter, Polonian and political activist Jackie Schmid, 51, died at home on Monday. Schmid, an executive assistant to Congressman Brian Higgins, had just helped organize the Cheektowaga Polish American Arts Festival and General Pulaski Parade in Cheektowaga last weekend. Schmid was a Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2012. She was presented the Polish American of the Year award by the Buffalo Bisons in 2008. At that time Judge Michael Pietruszka said of Schmid, ``She is definitely one of the unsung heroes of Polonia. She works on all of these projects behind the scenes and just does wonderful things for the community.'' Despite feeling ill, Schmid attended the Pulaski Parade and Cheektowaga Polish Arts Festival on Sunday. Last year Schmid stated: ``The Polish Festival is really important to keep the Polish heritage alive and pass down the traditions. The younger generations need to keep the traditions going.'' Ron Urbanczyk of the band City Side had said of Schmid: ``She promotes not only polka music but the Polish tradition.'' Schmid planned the Pvt. Leonard Post Pre-Dyngus Day and Dyngus Day celebrations. Schmid was vice chairwoman of the Cheektowaga Democratic Committee, general manager of the Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra, a director of the General Pulaski Assn., Inc., an organizer of Squeezefest (an accordion festival and old- fashioned polka party), and a member of the Polish American Arts Festival Committee. She was also active as a polka promoter and member of St. John Gualbert Parish in Cheektowaga. Cheektowaga Supervisor Mary Holtz has referred to Schmid as an ``event planner extraordinaire'' for the Cheektowaga Crabapple Festival. Schmid was also an active volunteer with the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission which organizes the Independence Day celebrations including the parade in the town. Schmid was born in Buffalo and raised in Cheektowaga, where she was active in local Democratic politics. She was a 1979 graduate of Villa Maria Academy. She also cooked for her family's restaurant, which was located on Broadway and Shepard Street on Buffalo's East Side, before it was moved to Cheektowaga. The restaurant was closed in 1985. Brian Rusk, president of the General Pulaski Assn., lauded Schmid's collaboration with other directors as she served as co-chair of the parade for 10 years. He called her, ``A fine and dedicated woman.'' Rusk added, ``She was a foundation of our Pulaski Assn. and parade for the last 15 years. We will miss her at the General Pulaski Assn. and I personally dedicate the parade yesterday in her memory.'' Pulaski parade co-chair Mira Szramel said Schmid was always dependable. ``I knew I could count on her,'' Szramel said. She added that she knew she could always ``Call Jackie'' and the job would get done. Schmid is survived by her mother, Sandi (Alexandra), father William Sr., and brother William. A wake will be held at Barron Miller, 3025 William St., Cheektowaga on Friday from 2-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John Gualbert Church in Cheektowaga. ____________________