[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2149]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MATTHEW PELKEY FOR RECEIVING THE EMERGING BUSINESS LEADER 
               AWARD FROM THE AMHERST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2016

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. Matthew Pelkey as 
he is presented with the Emerging Business Leader Award by the Amherst 
Chamber of Commerce. Matthew, through his extensive and distinguished 
work, has proven to be a leader in his community.
  Matthew is an attorney and recent partner with Colligan Law LLP. 
Matthew's practice relates to counseling startups, entrepreneurs and 
businesses. His practice includes land use, commercial real estate and 
regulatory compliance for businesses and political groups.
  An active member of the Western New York startup community, Matthew 
was co-founder and co-director of the Buffalo Chapter of Startup Grind. 
In that role, he also co-founded the monthly #LaunchHour entrepreneur 
Twitter chat in partnership with Launch NY. He serves as a member of 
FIKA Buffalo and the 43 North WeMakeBuffalo Team.
  Additionally, Matthew sits on the advisory board of the ECIDA Venture 
Capital Fund, a board responsible for making recommendations to the 
ECIDA Board of Directors on how to form and operate a ten year, multi-
million dollar early stage venture fund focusing on local emerging 
companies with high growth potential. An entrepreneur himself, Matthew 
is a co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of Black Squirrel 
Distillery, a New York State craft distillery. In that role he also co-
founded the WNY Craft Beverage Alliance, Inc.
  Outside of the startup community, Matthew is a strong advocate for 
sustainable development and has served as a member of the Smart Growth 
Work Group of the WNY Regional Economic Development Council and the One 
Region Forward Land Use & Development Working Team.
  As the former Chair of The Emerging Business Leaders, Matthew served 
on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Amherst 
Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Chamber's Public Policy Committee. 
He volunteers for B-Team Buffalo and the Parkside Community 
Association. Matthew also serves as a member of the Professional Panel 
for the Cancer Legal Resource Center, and as an advisory board member 
for WomenElect.
  Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor Matthew 
Pelkey as he receives the Emerging Business Leader Award from the 
Amherst Chamber of Commerce. His personal contribution of time and 
effort towards the progress and enhancement of our community is 
admirable, and I wish him much continued success in all his future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________