JAMESTOWN, NY --

Statement By Congressman Brian Higgins

"Tonight we heard the President discuss plans for an America “Built To Last” with a renewed focus on many of the very things historically that made this Nation great – opportunity for an affordable education, the encouragement of discovery and innovation, and for those who work hard the promise for a better tomorrow.

“Many of the points hold great opportunity for Western New York. Our region has a strong manufacturing base, is home to dozens of quality higher education institutions and our residents have a work ethic like none other. A focus on the next generation of high-tech manufacturing is already creating jobs at the Ford Stamping Plant in Woodlawn and GM in Tonawanda. The continuation of this effort to advance products “Made in America,” educate the next generation of thinkers and train our workers will help more local business grow and thrive.

“One of the steepest costs for companies small and large alike is energy. Over 50 years ago our community found a way to harness our natural resources and create the Niagara Power Project, one of the cleanest and cheapest energy producers in the nation. The President’s proposal to advance responsible domestic oil production and the development of alternative energy can help with the ever increasing expense of electricity and challenge of high gasoline prices for consumers and entrepreneurs.

“A major component of building America, one I hope to hear more about, is rebuilding America’s foundation; the infrastructure that holds our neighborhoods, businesses and people. The idea is as old as Lincoln; he called them 'land improvements.’ Over the next year I hope to make those old ideas new again and working with our President and Congress achieve an aggressive infrastructure agenda that promises to create the quality jobs Americans need and deserve.

“Tonight the President spoke about people who work hard every day and play by the rules. It sounds to me like the people of Western New York. The people I go to Washington, DC to fight for and the people I can’t wait to come home to each and every week. I have great hope and optimism about the future of our community and our country. Working together we can make great things happen.”

Additional Background:

Earlier today Congressman Higgins spoke about the human and economic rewards of research and development citing Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s clinical study on a breakthrough cancer vaccine.

Yesterday the Congressman outlined the actions he would like to see Congress take in the year ahead.

Breaking from traditional partisan seating, Congressman Higgins joined members from the New York Congressional delegation representing both sides of the aisle to listen to the President’s address. Included in the group with Higgins were Ann Marie Buerkle (R, NY 25), Chris Gibson (R, NY 20), Richard Hanna (R, NY 24), and Kathy Hochul (D-NY 26), Rep. Bill Owens (D, NY-23), Tom Reed (R, NY 29), and Paul Tonko (D, NY 21).

(Submitted photo)