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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1428-E1430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                   HONORING THE LIFE OF JACKIE SCHMID

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, Monday July 23 started like any other day 
in our congressional offices. But shortly after noontime, the 
unthinkable happened. Our office was called by our dear friend Sandi 
Schmid. During that call, Sandi told our District Director Megan 
Corbett Rizzuto that her daughter, our longtime Executive Assistant and 
Office Manager Jackie Schmid, had suddenly passed away.
  To suggest that we were blown away is a severe understatement. 
There's little that can be said at a time like this, when someone so 
young is taken suddenly from our midst. Jackie was universally loved 
among civic, government and political leaders throughout our community. 
Acting as the hub of our Buffalo office, Jackie was at the center of 
all of the action, and played a role in virtually everything our office 
would do for the constituents I was elected to serve.

[[Page E1429]]

  On Saturday July 28, Sandi and the rest of Jackie's family honored me 
by asking that I eulogize her by sharing a few thoughts about her life 
and legacy. Jackie was a giver, a contributor. She gave more than she 
got--a lot more. She gave so much of her time and of herself to the 
many causes she loved so much.
  Mr. Speaker, Within this extension, you will see the remarks I 
delivered last Saturday in honor of Jackie, and you will also see the 
obituaries published in the Buffalo News and the Am-Pol Eagle.

 Eulogy of Jackie Schmid Delivered by the Honorable Brian Higgins, St. 
     John Gualbert Church, Cheektowaga, NY, Saturday, July 28, 2012

       St. John Gualbert was an 11th century Benedictine monk. One 
     Good Friday, he entered Florence with armed followers and 
     came upon a man who had killed his brother. He was about to 
     kill the man in revenge. Suddenly the man fell to his knees, 
     said he was sorry and begged Gualbert to be spared. Gualbert 
     spared him, forgave him and helped the man to his feet. He 
     encouraged the man to go forth and do good for the world. 
     Gualbert then entered the Benedictine Church in Florence to 
     pray, and the figure on the crucifix bowed his head to in 
     recognition of Gualbert's act of mercy and forgiveness to his 
     fellow man. This is a story of redemption and second chances.
        Thank you, Father Michael Burzynski for welcoming us to 
     your beautiful church this morning. You make us feel very 
     much at home here, and Jackie would be most proud of you and 
     of this loving community. St. John Gualbert's was Jackie's 
     spiritual home. She attended grammar school here and remained 
     very active in support of this church throughout her adult 
     life and her final days.
        Today we say goodbye to the only daughter of Sandi and 
     Bill Schmid. A loyal friend, a beloved colleague in 
     government and politics, a civic leader and Polonia's 
     goodwill ambassador to WNY and to the world. A leader like 
     few others, holding important positions within the 
     Cheektowaga Symphony Orchestra, the Cheektowaga Patriotic 
     Commission, the Pulaski Day celebrations, the Cheektowaga 
     July 4 celebrations, the Annual Western New York Dyngus Day 
     celebrations, the Cheektowaga Democratic Committee, and so 
     much more. In fact, the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce named 
     Jackie as its ``Citizen of the Year'' for 2012--an award that 
     will now be bestowed posthumously.
       Jackie's was an impressive list of civil and cultural 
     engagement. Someone once said to Sandi: ``Jackie runs 
     everything in Cheektowaga.'' To which Sandi replied, ``Not 
     everything. She never ran the vacuum cleaner, or the washing 
     machine, or an iron.''
        But while it is her civic involvement that she will be 
     remembered and honored for, it is her loving and generous 
     heart that we will truly miss. I along with my colleagues in 
     our Congressional office knew her as a trusted friend and 
     advisor. Jackie was loved and admired by her colleagues--
     truly loved and admired. She held the title of Executive 
     Assistant, but she was much more than that. She ran the 
     office and set the tone for our workspace. Jackie organized 
     birthday parties for her colleagues and helped with weddings 
     and showers, and any time there was a need for someone to 
     provide music, to find tables and chairs or to secure a hall 
     for a fund raising event, Jackie always ``had a guy.'' She 
     was always ready, she was always ``on it,'' and incredibly 
     willing to help. Jackie directed our student interns and was 
     so loved by them that she would often receive phone calls and 
     postcards from them long after their service was completed. 
     She engendered a rare degree of love, respect and loyalty. 
     She was charismatic and had a following of dutiful friends 
     who would eagerly walk through walls for her.
        There was one persistent constituent caller who routinely 
     called Jackie with his complaint of the day. Something he had 
     seen on television or had heard on talk radio, often fueled 
     by a vote I had taken with which he had disagreed. Jackie was 
     polite but would give it right back to him when he crossed 
     the line. One Christmas Eve he called not with a complaint, 
     but rather to wish Jackie a Merry Christmas. Because Jackie 
     was kind to him and showed a respect a caring that he rarely 
     received.
        If Jackie loved you, you knew it. If Jackie liked you, you 
     knew it. If Jackie didn't like you, you didn't know it. But 
     we did!
        Lyndsey Barnes is our newest staff member. She said that 
     she was originally reluctant to accept a position in our 
     office because she was uncertain that she could handle the 
     job responsibilities. Chuck Eaton, our chief of staff, said, 
     ``The job, you can learn. But you get along with everyone. 
     And most importantly, Jackie likes you.'' Jackie gave Lyndsey 
     the confidence and encouragement she needed to get off to a 
     good start in our office. And she always provided friendship 
     to her.
        Carol Burns and Bill Greeley often gave Jackie a hard time 
     about all of the events Jackie would organize in Cheektowaga, 
     civic polka parties and church fundraising events among 
     dozens of others. Jackie would remind them, ``Listen. On my 
     first day of work, the Congressman told me that my job was to 
     keep Cheektowaga happy--and that's what I'm doing.'' Jackie 
     not only kept Cheektowaga happy, Cheektowaga is what Jackie 
     lived for and loved. At the funeral home for yesterday's 
     wake, seventeen different people introduced themselves to me 
     as Jackie's best friend. Many more thought they were as well; 
     that was her gift to all of you and all of us. Unconditional 
     love, devotion and friendship.
        Not only did they make their way because of Jackie's love, 
     she made her way because of theirs. And especially because 
     the love and the life she found in her mom Sandi. Theirs was 
     not always an easy relationship. Like with any relationship, 
     they had their moments. But Sandi always gave Jackie strength 
     and purpose, joy and friendship, and stood by her always, 
     especially in these last and hardest days.
        None of us can know or certain how long we have on this 
     earth. We cannot know what hardship and tragedy will test us 
     along the way. We cannot know what God's plan is for us. What 
     we can do is live our lives as best we can with purpose, and 
     love and joy. We can leave bitterness and that which is 
     unimportant behind, to reach beyond for love and forgiveness. 
     We can learn from our mistakes and grow from our failures. 
     And we can use each day to show those who we are closest to 
     us how much we care about them, and how much we love them. 
     And we can treat others with the kindness and respect that we 
     wish for ourselves.
        This is Jackie's legacy. This is how she lived her life. 
     We do not grieve today because of the prestige and praise 
     attached to her name. We grieve because we loved this kind 
     and giving woman. A woman who was moved, not for the sake of 
     greed or self-aggrandizement, not for wealth or power, but 
     only for the people and community that she loved so very 
     much.
        Jackie has gone home now guided by her faith and by the 
     light of those she loved and lost. At last she is with them 
     once more leaving those of us who grieve her passing with the 
     memories she gave and the good that she did.
        Today, St. Peter is at the gates of Heaven, sitting at the 
     table, selling split club tickets. God has turned to Peter 
     and said, ``Slide over. Jackie is here now. She's on it.''
        May God Bless Jackie, and may she rest in eternal peace.
                                  ____

                 [From the Buffalo News, July 26, 2012]

           Jacquelyn A. Schmid, Higgins' Executive Assistant

       Jacquelyn A. Schmid, executive assistant to Rep. Brian 
     Higgins and well known as a community and civic leader, died 
     unexpectedly Monday in her Cheektowaga home. She was 51.
       Ms. Schmid over the years achieved a key position in the 
     congressman's Buffalo operation, essentially serving as 
     office manager--and, in the words of one staffer, ``organizer 
     extraordinaire.''
        Her colleagues say she achieved that status through her 
     ability to deal with people, an essential skill for those in 
     the world of politics and government.
        She was active in many community and Polish heritage 
     organizations as well as Democratic politics. Higgins called 
     her ``Polonia's goodwill ambassador to Western New York.''
       ``Jackie was a big part of our team,'' he said. ``She had a 
     unique relationship with each and every person based on 
     loyalty and good humor, as well.''
        ``She had a cult following of friends who really loved 
     her,'' he added, ``all a result of her special charisma.''
        A graduate of St. John Gualbert Elementary and Villa Maria 
     Academy, Ms. Schmid also attended Erie Community College.
        She was a member of Dyngus Day Buffalo and the point 
     person in planning the Pvt. Leonard Post Pre-Dyngus and 
     Dyngus Day celebrations. Four years ago, she helped found the 
     Cheektowaga Crabapple Festival for families to enjoy at 
     Cheektowaga Town Park and served as general manager of the 
     Cheektowaga Community Symphony Orchestra.
        Ms. Schmid was also a staff writer for the Am-Pol Eagle, 
     where she wrote a weekly column on Polonia, and annually 
     organized the St. John Gualbert chicken dinner and theme 
     basket auction.
       As a vice chairwoman of the Cheektowaga Democratic Party, 
     Ms. Schmid played a key role in petition drives, fundraisers 
     and Election Day activities. She was elected as a district 
     committeewoman for many years.
       She was recognized by the Buffalo Bisons in 2008 as Polish-
     American of the Year for her decades of service to the Polish 
     community, including stints with the Cheektowaga Patriotic 
     Commission, Cheektowaga Polish American Arts Festival and 
     General Pulaski Association.
       Her final public event occurred the day before she died, as 
     she supervised the Pulaski Day Parade--at which she became a 
     familiar figure directing activities from behind the 
     reviewing stand--which capped off the annual Cheektowaga 
     Polish Arts Festival in Cheektowaga Town Park.
        In September, Ms. Schmid was to be honored by the 
     Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce as its ``Citizen of the 
     Year.''
       The award will now be bestowed posthumously.
       She is survived by her mother, Alexandra ``Sandi'' 
     Lawkowski Schmid; her father, William F. Sr.; and a brother, 
     William F. Jr.
       A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. 
     Saturday in St. John Gualbert Catholic Church, Gualbert 
     Avenue at Doat Street, where Higgins will deliver the eulogy.

[[Page E1430]]

     
                                  ____
                        [From the Am-Pol Eagle]

                           Jackie Schmid Dies

       Am-Pol Eagle's polka columnist, polka promoter, Polonian 
     and political activist Jackie Schmid, 51, died at home on 
     Monday.
       Schmid, an executive assistant to Congressman Brian 
     Higgins, had just helped organize the Cheektowaga Polish 
     American Arts Festival and General Pulaski Parade in 
     Cheektowaga last weekend.
       Schmid was a Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the 
     Year in 2012. She was presented the Polish American of the 
     Year award by the Buffalo Bisons in 2008. At that time Judge 
     Michael Pietruszka said of Schmid, ``She is definitely one of 
     the unsung heroes of Polonia. She works on all of these 
     projects behind the scenes and just does wonderful things for 
     the community.''
       Despite feeling ill, Schmid attended the Pulaski Parade and 
     Cheektowaga Polish Arts Festival on Sunday. Last year Schmid 
     stated: ``The Polish Festival is really important to keep the 
     Polish heritage alive and pass down the traditions. The 
     younger generations need to keep the traditions going.''
       Ron Urbanczyk of the band City Side had said of Schmid: 
     ``She promotes not only polka music but the Polish 
     tradition.'' Schmid planned the Pvt. Leonard Post Pre-Dyngus 
     Day and Dyngus Day celebrations.
       Schmid was vice chairwoman of the Cheektowaga Democratic 
     Committee, general manager of the Cheektowaga Symphony 
     Orchestra, a director of the General Pulaski Assn., Inc., an 
     organizer of Squeezefest (an accordion festival and old-
     fashioned polka party), and a member of the Polish American 
     Arts Festival Committee. She was also active as a polka 
     promoter and member of St. John Gualbert Parish in 
     Cheektowaga.
       Cheektowaga Supervisor Mary Holtz has referred to Schmid as 
     an ``event planner extraordinaire'' for the Cheektowaga 
     Crabapple Festival. Schmid was also an active volunteer with 
     the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission which organizes the 
     Independence Day celebrations including the parade in the 
     town.
       Schmid was born in Buffalo and raised in Cheektowaga, where 
     she was active in local Democratic politics. She was a 1979 
     graduate of Villa Maria Academy. She also cooked for her 
     family's restaurant, which was located on Broadway and 
     Shepard Street on Buffalo's East Side, before it was moved to 
     Cheektowaga. The restaurant was closed in 1985.
       Brian Rusk, president of the General Pulaski Assn., lauded 
     Schmid's collaboration with other directors as she served as 
     co-chair of the parade for 10 years. He called her, ``A fine 
     and dedicated woman.''
       Rusk added, ``She was a foundation of our Pulaski Assn. and 
     parade for the last 15 years. We will miss her at the General 
     Pulaski Assn. and I personally dedicate the parade yesterday 
     in her memory.''
       Pulaski parade co-chair Mira Szramel said Schmid was always 
     dependable. ``I knew I could count on her,'' Szramel said. 
     She added that she knew she could always ``Call Jackie'' and 
     the job would get done.
       Schmid is survived by her mother, Sandi (Alexandra), father 
     William Sr., and brother William.
       A wake will be held at Barron Miller, 3025 William St., 
     Cheektowaga on Friday from 2-8 p.m. A Mass of Christian 
     burial will be offered 10 a.m. Saturday at St. John Gualbert 
     Church in Cheektowaga.

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