[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E364-E365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING PATRICK R. BYRNE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 11, 2010

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patrick R. 
Byrne, the 2010 Honorary Chairman of the 38th Annual St. Patrick's Day 
Luncheon being held at the Buffalo Irish Center this March 12th.
  Pat's Irish roots certainly run deep; his father Mike is a native of 
County Offaly while his

[[Page E365]]

mother Maureen hails from County Limerick. The Byrnes were incredibly 
involved in Buffalo's Irish American community, helping to establish 
the St. Patrick's Irish American Club as well as the Gaelic American 
Athletic Association of Buffalo--now the Buffalo Irish Center.
  Pat himself has continued this great tradition as a steadfast 
supporter of the Buffalo Irish Center. The extensive list of his 
community involvements includes being the President of M.P.B. Travel 
and the Byrne Agency. He is also a member of the Society of Financial 
Service Professionals as well as the Golden Key Society. Pat has served 
as a trustee for the Orchard Park School District, President of the 
Upstate Chapter of the American Society of Travel Agents, and President 
of the Buffalo Chapter of Scalp and Blade. He and his wife Darlene 
reside in Orchard Park.
  The St. Patrick's Day Luncheon is a time to celebrate all of Western 
New York's businesses, community members, government leaders, and 
friends. It is a wonderful Buffalo tradition that I am proud to be a 
part of. I ask my fellow Members to join me in recognizing Pat for his 
chairmanship of the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon and his many 
contributions to the Buffalo community.