[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8081-8082]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF VOICE-BUFFALO

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 7, 2016

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you today to celebrate the 
20th Anniversary of VOICE-Buffalo, a faith-based community of urban and 
suburban congregations throughout the County of Erie that has more than 
exceeded its mission to be the ``Voice of the Voiceless.''
  In 1996 VOICE-Buffalo Clergy identified congregation-based 
organization as the strategy for breaking down the barriers that divide 
neighborhoods, our city and region. Tirelessly dedicated to creating a 
culture of responsibility and accountability for what happens in our 
community, VOICE-Buffalo continues to build the capacity of people to 
act on their concerns and to strengthen and connect institutions to 
individuals.
  Today, 55 interfaith and diverse congregations, unions and other 
community organizations that share common values, focus on bringing 
local issues that profoundly impact the lives of residents to the 
forefront. VOICE-Buffalo members believe in the positive progress that 
can be achieved through rallying local leaders, congregations and the 
private sector together to hold those in power accountable for making 
decisions that are in the best interest of the community.
  For two decades, VOICE's mission has taken root in those committed to 
the cause of social and economic justice and whose training enhances 
engagement in the public life of their congregations and communities. 
This committed membership acts locally to connect people, build public 
relationships, address issues in their church neighborhoods and has 
built a regional organization with the capacity to address policies 
that impact individuals, families and communities.
  Committed to long term systemic change, VOICE-Buffalo has achieved 
tangible and transformative success with its push to increase health 
and public safety with the development of a city-wide uniform garbage 
tote system, the implementation of Project Holy Ground to strengthen 
congregations, engage and connect people to the community and bring 
stability to neighborhoods. In 2004, VOICE-Buffalo called for targeted 
demolition of unsafe properties that led to collaboration with the city 
of Buffalo to develop a user friendly manual on housing inspections and 
procedures.
  Recent successes have been made in public transportation and in 
bringing methods of Restorative Justice to Erie County. Voice 
sponsorship has boosted training for more than 50 ``peace circle 
keepers'' and the establishment of faith-based peace center ``hubs.''
  In March of this year, I had the privilege of working with VOICE-
Buffalo, NOAH (Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope) and its joint 
federation, Gamaliel WNY (Western New York) in welcoming U.S. Labor 
Secretary Thomas Perez back to his hometown of Buffalo, New York. 
Secretary Perez accepted the invitation extended by VOICE-Buffalo 
President Pastor James Giles, NOAH President Rev. JoAnne Scott and Paul 
Vukelic, CEO of Try-It Distributing, for a public dialogue on workforce 
diversity and training strategies.
  Secretary Perez addressed a packed auditorium at Bennett High School 
outlining the Federal Government's plan to provide resources to fill 
the existing gaps by connecting people in need to the pipeline of 
opportunity and employment. The challenge to develop innovative 
approaches has been embraced by VOICE-Buffalo and its community 
partners who continue to use their expertise to identify the underlying 
issues that prevent hiring and advocate for sustainability measures.
  There is well-deserved national acclaim for Buffalo's renaissance but 
the true measure of success will be when all residents are able to 
participate in the rebuilding of Western New York. VOICE-Buffalo has 
accepted that challenge and is leading the way to ensure that a pathway 
to participation is in place and that it is sustainable.
  The process of creating positive social change is never easy; it 
takes courage, faith, patience and vision. And that is why I rise today 
in the House of Representatives to acknowledge with admiration and 
appreciation the courage, faith, patience and vision of VOICE-Buffalo. 
More than 400 others joined together in the Golden Ballroom of Statler 
City to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of VOICE-Buffalo on June 2, 2016 
and to give thanks for the contributions of Father Harry Grace, Rev. 
Will Brown (posthumously), Marianne Rathman, Murray Holman, Robert 
Spicer and Amy Vossen Vukelic.
  Thank you for this opportunity to congratulate VOICE-Buffalo for its 
accomplishments. I would like to extend my best wishes for continued 
success. By standing together, we can ``be the people we've been 
waiting for'' that make a difference in our community and set ``Our 
Path to Power.''

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