Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) celebrated the life of James T. Molloy, a South Buffalo resident who served as House of Representatives Doorkeeper, in a speech delivered July 27 on the House floor. 

Below is the text of Congressman Higgins’ remarks:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the memory of James T. Molloy.  Many in Washington know Jim as the former, and last, Doorkeeper of the House.  Western New Yorkers know Jim as proud, third generation Irish-American and a proud career public servant.

Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) joined fellow House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee member Candice Miller (MI-10) in introducing an amendment to H.R. 1309, the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2011, which would terminate the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

“The Flood Insurance Program is fundamentally flawed and economically broken,” said Higgins.  “In Western New York and other communities across the nation it levies a mandatory flood tax on homeowners who are at virtually no risk of flooding and see absolutely no benefit.  It hinders small business growth, negatively impacts property values and is driving up our national debt.  We need to lead with common sense and eliminate, rather than extend, this unfair program.”