[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2152]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING PEGULA SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT FOR RECEIVING THE BUSINESS OF 
          THE YEAR 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 Pegula Sports and 
Entertainment for receiving the Business of the Year Award from the 
Amherst Chamber of Commerce. Created in 2014, Pegula Sports and 
Entertainment is a management company streamlining the Pegula family's 
business endeavors across sports and entertainment, including the 
Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Americans, 
HARBORCENTER, and Black River Entertainment.
  On February 22, 2011, a new era in Buffalo sports history began when 
Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits. 
That summer, the Pegulas acquired the Rochester Americans, and resuming 
the team's long time relationship with the Sabres as their American 
Hockey League affiliate.
  In 2012, the Pegulas purchased the 1.7 acre Webster Block across from 
First Niagara Center, which became the HARBORCENTER complex. 
HARBORCENTER features two NHL-size rinks, the Academy of Hockey, (716) 
Food and Sport, IMPACT Sports Performance, a destination Tim Hortons 
Cafe & Bake Shop, 750-space parking ramp, and full-service Marriott 
Hotel.
  The Pegulas' dedication extends beyond reinvigorating the Sabres and 
their arena. On Friday, October 10, 2014, Terry and Kim became owners 
of the Buffalo Bills, after the passing of Ralph Wilson, Jr. The 
Pegulas are only the second owners of the beloved 55-year old National 
Football League organization.
  To show their commitment to our region, on Sunday, October 12th, 
2014, coinciding with the Pegula's first game as owners of the Bills, 
Pegula Sports and Entertainment officially launched the ``One Buffalo'' 
campaign. The ``One Buffalo'' campaign provides an association and link 
between the Bills, Sabres, the Pegulas, and the City of Buffalo. The 
campaign is a celebration of the future of sport in Western New York 
and the family who has invested so much into the city, and seeks to 
bring the community together as a representation of teamwork and a 
deeper connection between Buffalo sports teams and their fans.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating Terry and Kim 
Pegula as they receive the Business of the Year Award. I am deeply 
grateful for their incredible investment and belief in Western New 
York, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors, and many 
championships for the Bills and Sabres under their leadership.

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