Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brian Higgins today celebrated Earth Day and pledged to continue his work in Congress to protect the environment, fight global warming and spur a cleaner, greener, and more prosperous economy for the American people. 

“Since the first Earth Day in 1970, the awareness raised about environmental issues has helped to place stringent restrictions on polluters who would otherwise lay waste to our lakes and rivers, to bring back endangered species like the American Condor from the brink of extinction, and promoted recycling as a way to conserve resources,” said Higgins.  “Our achievements are extensive; however, we face unprecedented challenges for the future.” 

The 110^th Congress has already taken several major steps forward by passing landmark legislation that addresses the global warming crisis while creating new green collar jobs, cutting energy costs and helping end our dependence on foreign oil.  

The historic and bipartisan Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 has been signed into law and will increase vehicle fuel efficiency standards and help save American families $700 to $1,000 per year at the gas pump. New building, appliance and lighting efficiency standards included in the new law will save consumers $400 billion through 2030. Additionally, the new law will help save 5.3 billion metric tons in energy-related CO2 emissions from 2008-2030 and cut the growth in energy-related emissions of CO2 by 10 percent.  

Congressman Higgins, a leading advocate for protection and restoration of the lakes, celebrated Earth Day over the past weekend by joining AmeriCorps Volunteers for clean-up activities along Gallagher Beach.  

“The Great Lakes are Western New York’s most vital natural resource,” said Congressman Higgins, a member of the Congressional Great Lakes Caucus.  “Historically, the lakes shaped this region as a port welcoming settlers, commerce and growth.    The long-tem health and vibrancy of this fresh water source is fundamental to the future of our environment and quality of life for those who will enjoy the lakes for generations to come.”

 Sister Margaret Ann Coughlin of Buffalo Joins Congressman for White House Event 

Photo:  Sister Margaret Ann Coughlin and Congressman Brian Higgins stand outside the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill following the ceremony with the Pope

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) was joined by Sister Margaret Ann Coughlin, RSMfor  a ceremony in Washington, DC today, Wednesday, April 16^th, in honor of Pope Benedict’s XVI first visit to the United States.   

“His Holiness and this Nation share common goals for a more compassionate, free and just society,” said Congressman Brian Higgins.  “His message is inspiration for us all and I am honored to have shared this experience with Sister Margaret Ann Coughlin, a woman who has dedicated her life to the very principles Pope Benedict spoke of today.” 

Sister Margaret Ann, who serves in Buffalo with the Sisters of Mercy, was invited by Congressman Higgins to attend the private event on the south lawn of White House Sister Margaret Ann, who joined the Sisters of Mercy at age 17, is celebrating her 50th jubilee.  She was the Pastoral Care Minister at Mercy Hospital prior to her current work as a Pastoral Caregiver to the children and families of Our Lady of Victory Basilica Baker Home for Children.  An alumnus of Mt. Mercy Academy and recipient of the “Spirit of Mercy Award,” Sister earned a master of divinity from Notre Dame University. In her earlier years, Sister taught at several Catholic schools in Buffalo and served as the music Minister at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School in Orchard Park.

This weekend the Sisters of Mercy will celebrate their 150^th Anniversary with the Buffalo Diocese.  Congressman Higgins will recognize the Sisters of Mercy Anniversary in a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives later today.   

“Since 1858, when they first arrived in Buffalo’s Old First Ward, the Sisters of Mercy have been recognized for their unwavering dedication to their neighbors in need,” said Congressman Higgins.  “Today the Sisters continue this legacy of service, helping people here live more fulfilling lives and providing the foundation for a compassionate Western New York community.”  

Astounded by March Report of Social Security Disability Backlogs in WNY, Congressman Higgins Calls On SSA to Provide Additional Judges to Hear Area Cases

Outraged by the numbers included in the March 22008 Social Security Administration (SSA) hearing office report, Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) wrote a letter to Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue insisting on more Administrative Law Judges in the Buffalo-area hearing office.  The Buffalo-area office service area includes:  Erie, Chautauqua, Niagara, Genesee, Ontario, Monroe, and Cattaraugus counties.   
As of March 2008:

·         It takes 669 days (nearly two years) for the average Western New Yorker to have their SSA case heard and processed in the Buffalo Hearing Office, one of the worst processing times in the country.  

·         Administrative Law Judges in Buffalo have some of the largest caseloads in the country, with an average of 895 cases pending before each judge.

·         47% of the SSA cases in the Buffalo Hearing Office have been pending for over a year, among the highest percentages in the country.  The average age of all claims pending is 381 days. 

“Western New Yorkers deserve more respect from our federal government,” said Congressman Higgins. “We are talking about people here, not numbers, - people who deserve an answer, one way or another, so they can plan for their future and live each day without the fear and frustration these backlogs create.  An immediate alleviation of these caseloads is essential.” 

The Social Security Administration has announced 135 Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) appointments in Fiscal Year 2008.  10 have been assigned to New York: 3 in New York City, 2 in Queens, 3 in Syracuse, and 2 in Albany.  No new judges have been assigned to Buffalo even though the backlog has been well-documented by the Social Security Administration itself. 

Congressman Higgins has long supported increased funding for the Social Security Administration.  In January, Congressman Higgins introduced H.R. 5110, the Social Security Customer Service Improvement Act which if enacted would provide Members of Congress with detailed information on the operation and staffing of Social Security offices in their districts and around the country.  Members of Congress should have ready access to this type of information, not only because it is exactly the type of information necessary to measure the effectiveness of government agencies, but also because when citizens aren’t treated properly at their local Social Security office, they immediately reach out to their local Member of Congress for expedited assistance.

“Social Security Disability is an insurance policy which was created to be a safety net for millions of disabled Americans, and for many, such as myself, it has become their only lifeline for survival,” said Linda Fullerton, President and Co-Founder of the Social Security Disability Coalition.  “I have personally suffered from the permanent affects of the severe backlogs in the Buffalo, NY hearing office, and I am very disgusted to know that conditions are continuing to decline.  I lost all my resources, life savings, and pension money during the 13 month wait for my SSDI claim to be processed in that office.  I will never be able to recover from the financial, physical and emotional devastation that was caused due to the enormous waiting time I endured.  Healthy, working Americans, if they are lucky, have a few weeks worth of savings in case of an emergency, yet the SSA is asking disabled Americans to wait several years with no income.  They say you can judge a country by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.  Based on my own personal experience, and from what I have seen and heard over the last several years, the USA should hang its head in shame.”  

H.R. 5110 has 35 cosponsors, including Reps. Michael Arcuri, Joe Baca, Tim Bishop, Leonard Boswell, Nancy Boyda, Bruce Braley, Russ Carnahan, Steve Cohen, Joe Courtney, Elijah Cummings, Rosa DeLauro, Lloyd Doggett, Joe Donnelly, Mike Doyle, Keith Ellison, Bob Etheridge, Sam Farr, Raul Grijalva, Phil Hare, Baron Hill, Ruben Hinojosa, Steve Israel, Dave Loebsack, Betty McCollum, Mike McIntyre, Jerry McNerney, Dennis Moore, Frank Pallone, Jan Schakowsky, Heath Shuler, José Serrano, Ike Skelton, Zach Space, Chris Van Hollen, and Charlie Wilson.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today the House of Representatives approved H. Res. 1020, a resolution recognizing the tremendous service members of the Armed Forces have given to this nation, including the supreme sacrifices made by our wounded warriors.  Congressman Brian Higgins, one of four original co-sponsors of the legislation and a member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, recognized the men and women wounded in combat on the House floor today.“Every day our military men and women risk their own personal safety as they defend our Nation’s safety and our citizens’ freedoms,” said Congressman Higgins.  “Many return from duty forever physically or mentally changed as a result of their selfless service.  This Nation owes our veterans the same commitment and dedication when they return that they so valiantly delivered while serving abroad.”

An estimated three-quarter of a million troops have been discharged since the war in Iraq began – many of whom with compromised mental and physical health. Approximately 260,000 have been treated at veterans’ health facilities, almost 100,000 have been diagnosed as having mental health conditions, and more than 200,000 have received some level of care from walk-in facilities.

Says map modernization relief has not gone far enough for Western New Yorkers  

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) today participated in a congressional hearing on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood map modernization program, held by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Higgins, a leading advocate of correcting the flood zone issue in Western New York, told the Subcommittee and assembled FEMA officials that the flood insurance requirement has created “economic dead zones” in Western New York. 

“The National Flood Insurance Program is, both in its design and execution, the worst federal program I have encountered in my time in the United States House of Representatives,” said Higgins.

Contending that the federal program creates a payor-payee dynamic in which communities like Western New York are required to pay in to the program they will never benefit from in order to subsidize regions that experience frequent flooding, Higgins informed the Subcommittee that he is submitting a request to FEMA Acting Administrator Maurstad for a national county-by county breakdown of the amount paid into and out of the program over the past ten years. Representative Candice Miller, (R-Michigan), who testified at the hearing, agreed to join Higgins’ request.

“For far too long, the National Flood Insurance Program has unfairly burdened residents of struggling communities, like the one I represent, to subsidize the cost of flood insurance across the country,” Higgins said. “A county-by-county breakdown of the money paid in and out of the program will further demonstrate how unnecessary and unjust this cost is to homeowners in Buffalo, NY, a city that has never experienced a riverine flood in its entire history.

”Last year, Congressman Higgins uncovered a 1972 study from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which said flatly that if the City of Buffalo undertook certain flood mitigation efforts that those mitigations would “protect the floodplain from a stage having an recurrence interval of 100 years.”  Because the City of Buffalo and neighboring municipalities had already completed all of the flood mitigation measures proscribed in the 1972 report and more mitigation efforts, the Congressman wrote to FEMA and demanded a revision of the flood maps for South Buffalo and Kaisertown, which would lift the onerous flood insurance requirement.

While a revised map resulted in an approximately 90% reduction in flood plain size for South Buffalo, after further scrutiny Congressman Higgins discovered FEMA plans to expand the 100-year flood plain in Buffalo’s Old First Ward. Since learning this Congressman Higgins has led the fight to correct the map which unjustly designate this Buffalo community.

“The fact is that, despite revisions, this program remains fundamentally flawed has turned formerly vibrant communities into economic dead zones. It is my hope that the data that FEMA provides us with will prove once and for all why these unjust flood zone designations must be revised,” said Higgins.

 Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that Forks Fire District No. 3 has been awarded $16,020 in federal funding through the Department of Homeland Security’s Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program.

“We are fortunate to have dedicated and trained volunteers always available to serve our community in an emergency,” said Congressman Higgins.  “These resources help to build upon the great team of first responders actively available to answer the call.”

SAFER grants are aimed at increasing the number of firefighters and enhancing their ability to ensure that their communities have adequate protection from fire and fire related hazards.  In the 2007 budget, Congress approved $115 million for the SAFER program which provides competitive grants to fire departments and statewide or local firefighter interest groups.  These awards are administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Fire Administration.  

“This funding will help to further develop our marketing campaign to inform and educate the public about what we do and how to get involved,” said Forks Fire Chief Michael Hockwater.  “Through creating awareness we can successfully expand the ranks and further the mission of the department.” 

Established in 1911, Forks Fire Department is located at 3330 Broadway at Union Road and has a sub-station at the corner of Nagel and South Creek Drive in the Town of Cheektowaga.  The fire company’s volunteers answer over 550 fire and emergency medical services calls each year.  For more information, or to volunteer go to the Forks Fire Department website at:  www.forksfd.org. 

Dedicating $3 Million to Outer Harbor Improvments  

Transfer of NFTA Land Commences Lakeside Meadows Redevelopment 

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) is applauding actions taken today which will result in $3 million in new investments along Buffalo’s Outer Harbor.  The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding allowing for the transfer of 111 acres of Outer Harbor land to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) for a greenfield redevelopment project.  ECHDC will spend $3 million in improvements on the site, being named Lakeside Meadows, which will take place on the land between the Skyway and the water’s edge.   

“This initial investment will convert land currently barren and unsightly into property welcoming to the public and attractive to private investors interested in residential and commercial development along this site,” said Congressman Higgins, who has long advocated for the land transfer. 

“This project will work in unison with the Outer Harbor Parkway along Fuhrmann Boulevard and the Greenbelt Project along the water’s edge, both currently under construction, to completely transform the Outer Harbor.” 

Under the agreement, the NFTA will lease the property to the ECHDC with the option to purchase the land in 5 years.  In the meantime, ECHDC will clean-up the land, creating new grassy areas and natural landscaping.  ECHDC intends to work with the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy on the design and maintenance of the site and will consult with the New York State Department of conservation on all clean-up work. 

Higgins Cites Underreporting of Federal Revenue, Failed Promises on WNY Construction in His Argument 

BUFFALO, NY – At a public hearing of the New York State Thruway Authority Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) provided testimony opposing proposed toll increases along the New York State Thruway.  The Congressman discussed findings included in State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s recent audit and unfulfilled promises on construction in Western New York in his remarks at the hearing.    

“The Thruway Authority is playing a disturbing numbers game,” said Congressman Higgins, a member of the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  “They deceptively tell the public they need more tolls to fill budget holes they have created by failing to provide reasonable assumptions for federal revenue.” 

According to the audit recently released by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, even by conservative measures, the Authority has underestimated federal aid by a minimum of $125 million for a 5-year budgetary period.  

Comptroller DiNapoli’s audit finds, “between 1988 and 2007, the Authority received an average of $33.5 million a year in Federal highway funding. It therefore seems that the Authority’s projected average of $4.9 million a year in such funding is unreasonably low.”  The audit further claims, “It would be reasonable for the Authority to estimate at least $30 million a year in Federal highway funding (this is consistent with the past average of $33.5 million a year).  Adjusted estimates in this manner would result in an additional $125.3 million being available…” 

“Rather than basing federal aid on historic trends as done through typical accounting procedures, the Authority appears to be deliberately underreporting the funding they receive and padding their budgetary pockets when new toll revenue and actual federal dollars come in,” Higgins added.    

Higgins also noted the Thruway Authority justified their 2005 toll increase with the need to fund several local projects which never came to fruition.   “This represents a disturbing pattern of promises made and promises broken by the Authority,” Higgins said.  “This public Authority has used their absolute power to impose an unnecessary 45% increase in tolls in just five years.  By needlessly and outrageously increasing the tolls the Thruway Authority is taking advantage of the hard-working people of Western New York.”   

Between 2007 and 2010 the Authority will fall $200 million short in promised projects in the Thruway’s Buffalo Division.  (see chart below) 

Background:  NYSTA Capital Budget Breakdown for Buffalo Division 

2007 NYSTA Shortfall to Buffalo Division

2008 – 2010 NYSTA Buffalo Division Capital Work 

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) has been named Co-Chair of the bi-partisan Congressional “Revitalizing Older Cities Task Force.”  Congressman Mike Turner, a Republican from Ohio, will serve as Higgins’ counterpart.  

“America’s older, industrial cities that once bustled with manufacturing business and jobs and built this nation are now struggling with the changing economy,” said Congressman Higgins.  “This Task Force will take a proactive look at a wide cross-section of issues to promote federal policies that inject opportunity and optimism into our older cities.” 

The “Revitalizing Older Cities Task Force” dedicated to addressing the plight of this region’s older cities was recently formed by members of the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition.  The Northeast-Midwest Coalition was established over 30 years ago because federal legislators from these regions recognized that their needs are similar and by working together they can have a greater impact on the issues specific to their unique constituency.  Congressman Higgins was appointed to serve as Co-Chair of the Older Cities Task Force by Chairman Jim Oberstar of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, who also Co-Chairs the Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition.   

One of the first issues the task force addressed was a discussion of vacant properties and historic structures.  Last year Congressman Higgins introduced H.R. 3498, the Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Act, a bill which would provide funds to older cities to deal with rampant vacant properties 

In the future, the Task Force will take a critical assessment of how and whether current federal initiatives are meeting the challenges faced by older industrial cities and regions like Western New York.  In addition to Congressman Higgins’ bill, members of the task force have already introduced legislation to create tax credits to cleanup and redevelop brownfield sites and expand the current historic rehabilitation tax credit to make it applicable to affordable housing.  Other issues anticipated to be addressed by the task force include: decaying urban infrastructure, the need for urban economic development, the energy/environmental benefits of urban in-fill versus sprawl and the lack of availability of healthy foods in urban cores.   

The task force is currently comprised of the following members:  Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY), Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA), Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA), Rep. Michael Capuano (D-MA), Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), Rep. Phil English (R-PA), Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI), Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH), Rep. James McGovern (D-MD), Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA), Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN), Rep. Bill Pascrell     (D-NJ), Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ), Rep. Tim Ryan (D- OH), Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-NY), Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA), and Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH). 

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) invites local high school, college and graduate school students interested in an internship to contact his office. Openings are available in the Washington D.C. office and the district offices in Erie and Chautauqua Counties.

“The ability to participate in this nation’s democratic process and make a difference in our local community is an opportunity I treasure each and every day,” said Congressman Higgins. “I encourage students interested in learning from and contributing to the governmental process to contact my office.”

Interns will have the opportunity to be involved with a number of activities including: constituent relations, research, community meetings, and writing projects. A limited number of interns will be accepted each semester.

If you are interested in an internship in the Erie County Office, located in Buffalo, please contact Megan Corbett at 716-852-3501.

To inquire about an internship in the Jamestown office, in Chautauqua County, ask for Donna Coughlin at 716-484-0729.

If you would like to apply for an internship in the Washington, D.C. office, please call Molly Ritchie at 202-225-3306.