[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6805]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


           RECOGNIZING PETER SOLENDER AND SUZIE RIVO SOLENDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2013

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize two outstanding 
community leaders as they are honored by the Amherst Chamber of 
Commerce as the 2013 Stewardship Award Winners, Peter Solender and 
Suzie Rivo Solender. Few have been so generous with their time and 
talents as Peter and Suzie.
   Peter and Suzie Solender's community involvement begins with their 
children. As parents, Suzie spent time as a Girl Scout leader, while 
Peter was active with his son in Cub Scouts.
   When their children began attending school, Peter and Suzie became 
heavily involved in the Williamsville Parent-Teacher Association, 
Parent-Teacher-Student Association, and Parent-Teacher Association 
Council. At one point, Suzie held the PTA presidency at both Heim 
Middle School and Williamsville East High School simultaneously. As a 
member of the Town of Amherst Youth Board, Suzie currently is serving 
her second three-year term.
   The Solenders devote much of their time to the American Cancer 
Society, as both Peter and Suzie are cancer survivors. Suzie has sat on 
many boards for the ACS, including the Advisory Board, and as one of 
five members of the leadership committee. Suzie's talents as a grant 
writer allowed her to become a stakeholder with the National ACS. For 
three years, she reviewed grant applications for areas of cancer 
research as a stakeholder with the National ACS. Suzie is trained as a 
Legislative Ambassador on the Congressional level.
   Together, Peter and Suzie work at Hope Lodge in Buffalo, where 
cancer patients and family members can stay if they require outpatient 
treatment but live too far to commute. They take great pride in 
directly helping those who face the battle against cancer.
   The American Heart Association is close to Peter and Suzie. The 
Solenders helped with the American Heart Association's yearly walk, and 
Suzie served on the Gala Board for Heart for three years.
   As people of faith, the Solenders are active locally, regionally, 
and nationally in their house of worship. Both Suzie and Peter have sat 
on many fundraising committees. Suzie served two terms as Sisterhood 
President and two terms on the Board of Directors, and together they 
were involved in B'nai B'rith and B'nai B'rith Woman--a Jewish 
organization.
   Mr. Speaker, I thank you for allowing me a few moments to recognize 
Peter and Suzie Solender, two pillars of our community. I am inspired 
by their selflessness, grateful for their service, and wish their 
family the absolute best in all their future endeavors. Their good 
works have touched innumerable lives in Western New York.

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