Biographical Profile for Brian M. Higgins
| Currently Elected Rep. In Congress District 26, New York |
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General: (political statement of goals, objectives, views, philosophies)
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Brian Higgins was elected to Congress on November 2, 2004, and took office as a member of the 109th Congress, representing New York's 27th Congressional District, on January 3, 2005.
As a freshman member of the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, in April, 2005, Brian hosted a tour of Buffalo's waterfront for committee ranking member James Oberstar (D-MN), to highlight the critical infrastructure needs of Buffalo and Western New York. In the final version of the federal transportation bill adopted by Congress and signed by the President in 2005, Brian secured more than $50 million for critical transportation projects, funding that will not go for more master plans or consulting reports, but will instead go for design and construction of physical improvements throughout the 27th District - from north Buffalo to Jamestown, and to dozens of points in between.
Brian's other top concern during his first year in Congress is the pending relicensing of the New York Power Authority's (NYPA) Niagara Power Project in Lewiston, NY. Brian sees the Niagara Project as a facility that harnesses our region's tremendous natural resource at Niagara Falls, but which sadly provides little in the way of economic benefit to its host communities. Brian has sponsored legislation that would force NYPA to provide a fair share of its annual profits (which are estimated to exceed $500 million annually) to communities like Buffalo which reside within a 30 mile radius of the power plant, and remain the home of shuttered industries which located within the river basin solely due to the past availability of cheap hydropower for businesses.
As a T&I Committee member, serves on Subcommittees on Highways, Transit, and Pipelines; Water Resources and Environment; and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Brian is also a member of the House's Committee on Government Reform, and is a member of that panel's subcommittees on Energy and Resources and National Security.
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Personal: (gender, age, marital status, spouse's name and age, children's name and
ages, home town, current residence)
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Brian is the son of immigrant and first-generation American parents, and remains a proud lifelong resident of South Buffalo, New York. Brian and his wife Mary Jane, who works on the lower West Side of Buffalo as a special education teacher in the Buffalo Public School system, are the proud parents of two young children, John and Maeve.
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Education: (times and places of schools, colleges, major, degrees, activities, sports)
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Brian received his undergraduate and graduate education at Buffalo State College, studying political science and history, respectively. In 1995, Brian was awarded the inaugural Western New York Harvard Graduate fellowship, and one year later earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
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Profession: (profession and work experience outside politics)
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Brian served as a lecturer in the History and Economics departments at Buffalo State College, instructing undergraduate students in courses on state and local government. Brian also taught courses on the economic history of Buffalo and Western New York.
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Military: (branch, years of service, active duty experience, highest rank, medals,
honors, discharge date and type)
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None.
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Civic: (past and present organizations, charities involvement)
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None.
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Political: (dates and titles of previously held political offices)
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Brian Higgins was elected in his own right to the Buffalo Common Council in 1987. Brian Higgins was elected to the New York State Assembly for the 145th District in November 1998. As Assemblyman, Brian made economic development and job creation a key focus of his service. In November of 2004 Brian was first elected to serve as the Congressman.
As a freshman member of the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Brian serves on Subcommittees on Highways, Transit, and Pipelines; Water Resources and Environment; and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Brian is also a member of the House's Committee on Government Reform, and is a member of that panel's subcommittees on Energy and Resources and National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.
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Religion: (current and past religious affiliations, beliefs)
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They are parishioners at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in South Buffalo.
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Accomplishments: (significant accomplishments, awards, achievements)
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In 1995, Brian was awarded the inaugural Western New York Harvard Graduate fellowship, and one year later earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
As New York Assemblyman, Brian led the effort to create a new state park along the Outer Harbor on the beach site - a proposal endorsed by the governor in 2002 and included in his 2003-2004 proposed state budget. The efforts that Brian made on these fronts have produced results after decades of stagnation on the issue.
As a freshman member of the House's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Brian serves on Subcommittees on Highways, Transit, and Pipelines; Water Resources and Environment; and Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Brian is also a member of the House's Committee on Government Reform, and is a member of that panel's subcommittees on Energy and Resources and National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations.
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