Congressman Higgins, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand Announces House Passage of Bill Naming Orchard Park Post Office for Jack Kemp
Former Congressman and Buffalo Bills Quarterback Recognized
Today Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined his colleagues in the House of Representatives in approving S.1211, a bill naming the U.S. Post Office at 60 School Street in Orchard Park, New York for Jack Kemp.
“From the Bills ‘wall of fame’ to the halls of Congress, Jack Kemp is remembered as a fighter and a leader,” said Congressman Higgins. “This tribute at the postal facility in the heart of Bills country is further recognition of Kemp’s many contributions to this great community and nation.”
The bill, introduced by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, was approved by the Senate on August 4, 2009 and will now go to the President for his signature.
“Jack Kemp was an exemplary public official and an even better person,” said Senator Schumer. “He was a great athlete, an honorable and hard working elected official who had a profound effect on Buffalo and the country, and a good friend. Naming the Orchard Park Post Office is a fitting tribute to a man who devoted a good part of his life to the Western New York community -- first on the football field and later in the halls of Congress. His passion for politics and his lifetime of service has had a huge impact on both Buffalo and the nation.”
“Jack Kemp is a Buffalo institution and a true public servant,” Senator Gillibrand said. “He delivered for Buffalo families on the field and in Congress. Naming the Orchard Park Post Office after him will honor his legacy in the community he loved and served so well.”
Congressman Higgins delivered the following remarks supporting the measure on the House floor: (click here for video)
Mister Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 1211, a bill to honor former Congressman Jack Kemp by naming a post office in Orchard Park, New York in his memory.
Jack Kemp was born and raised in Los Angeles, and he did much of his important work here in Washington. But in his adopted home of Western New York we consider him one of our own. We are especially proud of the contributions he made to our community both on the football field as quarterback of the Buffalo Bills, and in public service as our representative to Congress. During his seven year tenure as quarterback of the Bills, Jack was embraced by the Western New York community. I remember going to War Memorial Stadium as a kid with my family and friends and watching him play. Jack led the Bills to back to back AFL championships in 1964 and 1965, winning the league MVP award in 1965 as well. And today he still ranks third all time in the Bills’ record books for yards and touchdowns thrown.
Before he ever stood for public office, Jack’s leadership skills were evident when his teammates named him captain of the San Diego Chargers in 1960, and after he was claimed by Buffalo, of the Bills in 1962. And in a preview of the interest he would later take in matters of economic policy, he co-founded the AFL Player’s Association, and was elected its president five times.
After retiring from football, Jack ran for the open House seat in New York’s 31st congressional district. He served nine terms in the House of Representatives, where many of my colleagues had the privilege to serve with him.
As a member of the House, Congressman Kemp was a tireless advocate for entrepreneurs and job creation, particularly in urban areas like Buffalo. He helped promote the idea of using special tax incentives to encourage job creation and private investment in distressed communities. This is a cause that I try to advance on behalf of Western New York today through my work on the House Ways and Means Committee, and I owe a great deal to the groundwork and foundation that Jack laid in this area.
After leaving Congress Jack went on to serve as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Administration of President George H.W. Bush, where he continued advocate for America’s urban centers through promoting enterprise zones to attract investment to cities, and by moving more Americans into homeownership.
Jack also famously joined the 1996 presidential ticket of Senator Bob Dole. While I may not have agreed with much of the platform on which they ran, I, like all Western New Yorkers, was proud that Jack represented our community so well on that national stage. Jack Kemp passed away on May 2nd, 2009 at his home in Bethesda, Maryland. He was an accomplished politician, outstanding athlete and tireless public servant to this nation. He will be, and already is, greatly missed.
Madam/Mister Speaker, S. 1211 would name a post office in Orchard Park, New York – where the Buffalo Bills play – after Jack Kemp. I thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for proposing this fitting tribute in his honor, and I urge its passage.
Thank you. I yield back the balance of my time.
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