By Jennifer Westerholt
In early December, Congressman Higgins gave Buffalo
Rising Magazine a
generous amount of time and candidly discussed, among other topics,
President-elect Barack Obama, future Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton,
American values, Buffalo’s waterfront, alternative energy and what could lie in
store for Buffalo in the next few years. Higgins addresses each topic in the text below.
President-elect Obama
Barack Obama’s win on Election day was historic, both
symbolically and substantially. The United States has taken a beating, in terms
of our [global] image. After September 11, 2001, people around the world felt
like they were Americans. Things have changed since then.
Now, we elect the first African-American president, and we
can hope to lead by example once again. It’s not what we say, it’s what we do.
You know, Hubert Humphrey once said that the greatest political achievement in
American history was the Civil Rights Act. Once again, we can live up to our
ideals. This election is further manifestation of our progress.
Barack Obama is highly pragmatic. When he mentions role
models, he speaks of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt–people
who governed from the center, with no ideological test. He, like them,
identifies a problem and decides how best to get what he wants to accomplish.
He is facing an economic crisis, a record deficit, soaring national debt, 6.5%
unemployment. He will look at it arithmetically, not politically.
He has charisma, youthfulness and vision. I think we will
see incredible progress in restoring the image of American over the next eight
years. Both here and abroad, he will be very thoughtful, circumspect and
honest. As we saw in the campaign, he handles problems without drama.
I believe the turning point of the campaign was in
September, at the beginning of the financial crisis. We saw John McCain say
that the fundamentals of our economy were sound, and days later he suspended
his campaign. He was desperate to do something; only he didn’t know what to do.
Obama? He remained calm and confident.
Obama understands the importance of cities and their
revitalization. He understands the need for making infrastructure investments
that will allow cities to be self-sufficient. I think that will benefit
Buffalo. He is from a waterfront city, with problems like Buffalo. He
appreciates the complexity of cities and their potential to vitalize larger
regions.
I believe
that he will foster the US, once again, as a leader in research and
development. He will be bold. He has the gifts. The American people are looking
to be inspired, and he has inspired. People are always looking for the limits
of possibility.
Route 5 and the Buffalo
Skyway
The latest study released by the New York State Department
of Transportation offers no recommendation; rather it makes an argument for
replacing the Skyway.
The Skyway is functionally a problem, and it stands on very
developable land. We don’t need it. Hopefully, there will be more federal
transportation money to replace it. Barack Obama has talked about
infrastructure generally, and the stimulus will have more infrastructure
dollars.
I envision a series of short-span lift-bridges, which will
more efficiently bring in traffic from the suburbs.
We need to organize a local effort to replace it. That is
the only way Albany will react.
Economy
The
economy is two-thirds consumer confidence and one-third new business
development. The new administration has made a commitment to invest in new
energy sources and impose aggressive tax incentives to companies that use wind,
solar and hydropower. Buffalo has a large manufacturing section, so we have the
space and the land, and are able to produce windmills and solar panels, which
will create jobs.
We live
in a humbled economy here in Buffalo. We have restaurants and shops,
universities and culture. Buffalo is better off than many believe it to be. We
have learned to stand up for ourselves, and our city is worth fighting for.
Hillary and American Values
Higgins
spoke to Buffalo Rising prior to a trip to Afghanistan, and shared his thoughts
about foreign policy, diplomacy and Hillary Clinton:
I will be visiting Afghanistan next week, which is where
the real war on terror is. Our approach there has to be both militaristic and
humanitarian. 64 percent of the population is illiterate, and the median age is
17. We need to invest in schools, roads and bridges, to keep the people away
from terrorist organizations.
I think Hillary Clinton was an excellent choice for
Secretary of State. She will bring a unique perspective, with established
relationships abroad. Her star power will be useful, as will the gravitas she
brings to situations. Because of her work and that of her husband, she knows “smart
power”–be aggressive, and use the leverage that you have. She will travel to
troubled spots like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. She will work to keep
India and Pakistan peaceful.
The war on terror is not a fight for land; it is a fight for
hearts and minds. Humanitarian workers dedicate their lives to instilling
self-worth in those with no future. I think she will prove to be effective in a
short time, and will make diplomacy a priority. The new administration will
have a greater concern and appreciation for the protection of humanitarian aid workers.
The world needs more of those workers. It needs more John Granvilles. This is
not just about military might.
It has been nice to be considered [to replace Clinton as NY
Senator], but my work is my work; it is the best representation of who I am. And
I will continue that work as Congressman.
The Future
I suspect that I will move up in the house, and continue the
work we have started. I would like to see commercial and mixed-use development
on the waterfront.
I will continue to fight for funding for cancer research. It
is both a health care issue and important to Western New York, and Buffalo is
unique in that it is home to Roswell Park Cancer Institute. More funding will
create jobs.
We need a Peace Bridge. We need a design that is smart and
efficient.
We have plenty of work to do, and I look forward to
continuing that work in my next term.