Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, December 21, 2020 — Celebrating the Life of Frank J. McGuire
Summary
Extensions of Remarks page of the Congressional Record dated December 21, 2020. Higgins of New York honors Frank J. McGuire, who passed away on July 7, 2020 at the age of 92, and says McGuire built companies, 30 of them, giving 1,700 people employment. Another extension says the Coronavirus relief bill delivers $900 billion in aid but that this is not enough, and calls for another round of stimulus checks. A further extension discusses Organization of American States budget priorities and the Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013.
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“Congressional Record, Extensions of Remarks, December 21, 2020 — Celebrating the Life of Frank J. McGuire.”
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E1196 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks December 21, 2020
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF While expanding his businesses locally, na- 8. support funding for the John Lewis TOD
FRANK J. MCGUIRE tionally and internationally, he always gave loop which can be a national Pilot and model
back to his community as he led the Chamber similar to our esteemed Beltline, without dis-
HON. BRIAN HIGGINS of Commerce in the 1970s with a focus on placing long-time residents.
OF NEW YORK bringing back jobs. Even an unsuccessful run I challenge my colleagues in this body to
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES for political office never steered him from pub- pass these pieces of legislation and deliver on
lic service as he served as a trustee of the the unfinished business of Georgia’s Fifth
Monday, December 21, 2020 Congressional District.
New York State Urban Development Corpora-
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speak- tion and was chairman of the Western New I would also like to take a moment to thank
er, I rise today to celebrate the life of Mr. York Economic Development Corporation. His leadership in the House and their staff for wel-
Frank J. McGuire. Mr. McGuire passed away efforts as a member of the New York coming me with open arms but more impor-
on July 7, 2020 at the age of 92, after a life- Sportsplex Committee secured state funding tantly for their leadership in these very chal-
time of business and community leadership, for the Buffalo Bisons baseball stadium and as lenging times. Their commitment to getting re-
philanthropy and service to Buffalo and West- a major player on the Business Backs the Bills sults on behalf of American people is laud-
ern New York. Committee in the late 1990s, he certainly con- able, and the work over the last few years to
His contributions are so many in so many tributed to our beloved football team still call- keep this giant ship on course and to get it
arenas, including economic, civic, cultural and ing Buffalo its home. back on normal course.
charitable that even his son found it difficult to I, like many others, sought his counsel and We also need to adapt to the changing
describe so he let the quote that guided his fa- can attest to his direct and no-nonsense way times. The post-World War II economy is not
ther’s work speak to how Frank McGuire lived the exchange of ideas, priorities and strategies coming back. The gig economy is here to
his life. ‘‘A ship is safe in the harbor, but that were debated. You knew where you stood stay.
is not what ships were built for.’’ As reported The gig economy is upon us and to remain
with Frank McGuire as he knew the value of
in the Buffalo News, this well respected and competitive we have to invest in and reinvest
family, faith, friendship and loyalty. He knew
well-known leader, ‘‘was not afraid of risk or in strategies of empowering people at all sta-
the value of a job well done and always kept tions in life to be their best selves and own
challenge, and always described as brilliant, his focus on creating and expanding employ-
tough, honest and fair.’’ their own futures.
ment opportunities for the community that As more Americans choose independent
Frank McGuire was a job creator and a gen- gave him his start.
erator of opportunity; he was an entrepreneur and flexible work, this coverage gap will only
Though never seeking the spotlight, his gen- get bigger, which is why our lawmakers need
for decades before that term became more erosity and significant contributions to numer-
widely embraced and celebrated. Still working to update our safety net as soon as possible.
ous charities were deservedly recognized. That is why I am proud that today’s
into his nineties as chairman of the McGuire These included University at Buffalo School of Coronavirus relief bill delivers $900 billion in
Group, Frank McGuire never acquired titles, Management Niagara Frontier Executive much-needed aid but this is not enough. We
he built companies—30 of them—giving 1,700 award in 2001, the United Way Tocqueville need to pass another round of stimulus
people employment and careers as an indus- Society Philanthropist of the year in 2007, and checks and we need to ensure that state and
try leader in the fields of construction, health Business First’s Lifetime Achievement Award local governments—which are at the forefront
care, commercial and industrial real estate de- in 2013. and bearing the impact of paying for this pan-
velopment. Madam Speaker, I honor the trailblazing leg- demic—are reimbursed.
His roots were anchored into the South Buf- acy of Frank J. McGuire. He embodied the And, I would like to close on a point of per-
falo community as the oldest of five sons of passion, energy, and commitment to cause sonal privilege.
Frank J. McGuire Sr. and the former Mary that makes Buffalo unique. We will forever be I have a picture of a man who was a
Kelly, and a graduate of Holy Family School grateful for his outstanding service and leader- straight-A student at George Washington
and South Park High School. Sergeant ship. We extend our deepest sympathy to his Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama
McGuire served his country honorably from wife, Donna, his children, grandchildren and who was pushed out of the educational sys-
1946 to 1948 having joined the U.S. Army the friends and family of the McGuire Group. tem because he chose to stand up for justice
after becoming an electrician. f and equality for all in the 1960s.
His ability to lead was recognized by his fel- He was a peaceful and law-abiding student
low classmates as he was president of the THE UNFINISHED BUSINESS OF who organized hundreds of other students to
School of Engineering of the University at Buf- CONGRESS participate in the Selma to Montgomery
falo Class of 1953. His work as an electrician March. It was only a few years ago that I
during his college days took him to new HON. KWANZA HALL found out who he was. I was reflecting with
heights as he personally climbed to install the OF GEORGIA my mother on her photo collection from the
aircraft beacon light at the top of a local radio IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES civil rights movement one day, and to my as-
tower. If there was a challenge to be met, tonishment she stated that the peaceful
Frank McGuire was the man to step up to get Monday, December 21, 2020
protestor being dragged on the ground by a
it done. Mr. HALL. I rise today to include in the police officer in 1965 was my father.
His innate skill set was more fully on display RECORD a statement on behalf of my prede- His name was Leon Hall and he was the
as an employee of General Electric Company cessor John Lewis and constituents of Geor- youngest staff member of the Southern Chris-
where at the age of 26, he became one of the gia’s Fifth Congressional District. We have tian Leadership Conference, and aide to Dr.
youngest managers and contributed to the de- some unfinished business, and I call on Con- Martin Luther King, from 1963 to 1968. He
sign and development of the nuclear reactors gress to: was a foot soldier in the fight for justice along
used in the first atomic submarines. Those ex- 1. expunge all records for nonviolent offend- with Hosea Williams, who stood on the Ed-
periences formed the foundation on which this ers impacted by the war on drugs; mund Pettus bridge next my predecessor John
pioneer took his limited savings and with the 2. permit those individuals who were pre- Lewis. All three of them were beaten, verbally
support of his parents, who mortgaged their viously incarcerated to vote and end the prac- abused, and illegally incarcerated countless
home, founded his first company, Industrial tice of disenfranchisement on these bases; times, just as we see today with Eric Garner,
Power & Lighting Corporation. This electrical 3. make it more difficult for police to escape Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others.
engineering and construction organization be- accountability when the rights of law-abiding This has been an unfortunate reality in the
came a powerhouse completing more than Americans are violated; U.S. and around the world for millions of black
$200 million in projects throughout upstate 4. pass legislation that once and for all bans and brown people for far too long—injustice
New York, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Colorado the box and prevents employment discrimina- and unlawful treatment by those responsible
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS
and Alaska and became the first American tion against those previously incarcerated indi- for upholding the law has to end and it has to
company of its kind to work in the People’s viduals; end now.
Republic of China in 1981. Real estate devel- 5. establish the John Lewis Institute with an While I have seen this picture for my entire
opment in Western New York and Florida allocation of money from Congress to support life, before that conversation with my mother I
would follow as well and expansion into health this endeavor; never realized that the individual in it was my
care operating nursing and rehabilitation facili- 6. support the Prince Hall Masons Building; father.
ties in Western New York, Long Island and 7. support the renovation and the restoration The picture was taken in 1974 and showed
Michigan. of Dr. King’s office; and my father. Leon Hall, a board member of the
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December 21, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1197
Southern Regional Council, testifying before SUPPORT FOR S. 1310 (ORGANIZA- The State Department should also maintain
this very body about the issues related to edu- TION OF AMERICAN STATES communication with the Committee on Foreign
cation and students being pushed out of edu- LEGISLATIVE ENGAGEMENT ACT Relations in the Senate and the Committee on
cation systems, much as he was. Our Majority OF 2020) Foreign Affairs in the House of Representa-
Whip Representative CLYBURN and Represent- tives through regular briefings on the progress
ative BENNIE THOMPSON were also board HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL of any forum that is created under Section 4
OF TEXAS of this legislation and its implementation.
members of the SRC at that time.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES With the Western Hemisphere facing seri-
The body of work they established at that ous threats from authoritarian regimes and
time is the scholarship we now refer to as the Monday, December 21, 2020 malign actors, it has never been more impor-
school to prison pipeline. Some of America’s Mr. McCAUL. Madam Speaker, I want to ex- tant for the U.S. and our partners to promote
greatest talents, our most brilliant minds—ca- press my support for the Organization of values of freedom in the region.
pable of creating inventions, innovations, or American States Legislative Engagement Act. I commend Senator CARDIN and Senator
great companies that can employ thousands The Organization of American States (OAS) WICKER for their leadership on this issue, and
and provide cures to ailments—are lan- brings together the nations of the Western I urge my colleagues to support this legisla-
Hemisphere to promote democracy, human tion.
guishing in prison due to an unjust legal sys-
rights, security, and economic development. f
tem. Many of them were brutalized on a traffic This bill directs the Department of State to
stop or walking innocently down the street. develop a strategy to support efforts in the THE 2020 CHRISTMAS TREE BILL:
I rise to bring attention to the need for jus- OAS to strengthen critical anti-corruption ef- ‘‘MONEY VERSUS WEALTH’’
tice reform and to explain the import of why I forts and promote human rights.
support justice ref arm projects, like the last It also requires a report detailing the organi- HON. MARCY KAPTUR
prisoner project, the innocence project, ban- zation’s progress toward advancing human OF OHIO
ning the box for reentry to work. I support the rights, combating impunity, and supporting the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
overall evolution of the way we work, who participation of democratically elected legisla-
Monday, December 21, 2020
tors in OAS activities.
works, and how we contribute and provide Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, Americans
Finally, this bill encourages democratically
value to a future society that truly is just for elected legislators from member states to dis- should wonder why Pennsylvania Senator PAT
all. cuss the most important issues facing the re- TOOMEY—a Harvard educated, former Wall
Young people who fill prisons should be em- gion—including defending human rights, pro- Street foreign currency swap trader—held up
powered to create and build our companies as moting democracy, and supporting anti-corrup- this relief bill so necessary to help people in
knowledgebased workers with or without a col- tion efforts. our pandemic-plagued nation. He was wrong
lege degree doing jobs that require new tech As co-chair of the US-Mexico Inter- to hold up the bill, but he is right on putting a
skills that they have, and those in jails for non- parliamentary Group, I recognize the important spotlight on the Federal Reserve. Bottom line:
role that legislators can play in advancing How will our nation pay the $2 trillion bill for
violent offenses should be released and given
shared foreign policy interests. However, the this necessary relief to the American people,
training to do the same. That’s why I support and our escalating debt? First, let me begin
United States must take all necessary meas-
the MOREs act and SAFE act. But the critical with this basic lesson President Franklin Roo-
ures to ensure that any interparliamentary
component of this is the categorical forum created under this legislation provides a sevelt’s generation taught mine: There is a dif-
expungement of records and wholesale invest- platform for substantive discourse to address ference between ‘‘money’’ and ‘‘wealth.’’ Sen-
ment in the creation of companies with, for, serious issues impacting the region, including ator TOOMEY appears to be concerned about
and by citizens reentering the economy—com- countering threats to democracy and human America’s deteriorating financial position. So
panies that will pay taxes and keep people off rights, transnational crime, impunity, and sys- am I.
the streets. The SAFE Act should have temic corruption in accordance with the Inter- Wealth = tangible assets that produce real
minority- and women-led financial institutions American Democratic Charter. products (agricultural land, a factory, a donut
at the center of the transition that we need to The United States must also make all efforts shop, a forest, etc. . . . real products. Money
move our country forward in a uniformed fash- to ensure that interparliamentary forums are is but an ephemeral accounting transaction.
ion. not coopted by actors who aim to undermine As Congress debates this $2 trillion-dollar vital
U.S. policy interests in the region by pro- bill, of one thing we can be certain: it is not
We need a comprehensive solution to end moting socialism and embracing malign actors paid for. The U.S. has gone from the world’s
these injustices. I believe in second chances like the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). largest creditor (+$360 billion) in 1980, to its
and the power of redemption. People returning This legislation includes critical language largest debtor (¥$97 trillion) in 2019. The per-
from incarceration should have opportunities ensuring that only democratically elected legis- cent of household debt equals 68 percent of
and pathways to succeed and contribute to lators participate in any newly-created forum. the GDP, an astounding figure—($14.35 trillion
society in a meaningful way without stigma A ‘‘democratically elected legislator’’ under this of a GDP of $21.16 trillion). The Federal Re-
from the wrongs they’ve done in the past. This legislation should be strictly defined as an indi- serve soon will gather its member banks to
same principle is applicable to Congress too. vidual who was elected as a result of periodic, figure out how to finance this debt. The money
free and fair elections. Further, any legislator to pay for it will be borrowed as onerous tax-
I would end on the following observation.
who is known to be convicted for or engaged ation at this time would harm the recovery. But
The country was built on the backs of African the American people will have to pay back
in corruption or transnational criminal activi-
descendants of slaves, indigenous people and ties, including trafficking of people, goods, or lenders for years to come, including increasing
other immigrants including Chinese, Irish, illicit narcotics, moneylaundering, terrorist fi- payments to foreign creditors that are financ-
Italians, Mexican and Central Americans, nancing, acts of terrorism, campaign finance ing America—China, Japan, and Brazil,
those from South Asia and people from all violations, bribery, extortion, human rights vio- among others. Senator TOOMEY is shining a
over the world. We need a country that func- lations, or undermining democracy, should be laser beam on the Fed as it will be the su-
tions without regard to where your ancestors barred from participation. preme negotiator in these ‘‘money’’ trans-
come from. We need opportunity mindful of The U.S. must also work with the OAS to actions that will impact our nation’s future
that. We need a justice system mindful of that. ensure that any forum or action taken under ‘‘wealth’’. Our nation has been accumulating
Only then can we begin to end the divisions this legislation is feasible and cost effective, more and more debt and not been paying
of our country and begin to unite. keeping in mind the ongoing budgetary con- down principal for a very long time due to
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with REMARKS
straints of the OAS and the importance of ad- wars, huge tax cuts to the wealthy, and a
Tough times bring out the worse or the best vancing the objectives outlined under the Or- haughty attitude among some that the U.S. is
in people and we need to standup and ensure ganization of American States Revitalization invulnerable to the selling off of productive as-
that we not let the COVID crisis continue to and Reform Act of 2013, including the imple- sets. During the 1990’s, to ease the interest
bring out the worse but rather take the next mentation of a results-based budgeting proc- payments on our accumulating U.S. debt, the
few weeks of this administration and first 100 ess in order to strategically prioritize, and U.S. financial system was turned inside out to
days to 6 months to get something right in this where appropriate, reduce current and future inflate and leverage globally Americans’
country and get the country back on course. mandates. wealth in the housing sector. Wall Street, with
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