In the days since his passing on April 11, 2025, there has been much well-deserved praise for former Congressman LaFalce’s accomplishments during his decades of public service – first in the NYS Senate and Assembly (1971-1974) and in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975-2003), where he served 14 consecutive terms under six presidents, while representing parts of Monroe, Erie, Niagara, and Orleans Counties. He also served in the United States Army from 1965-1967.
When Congressman LaFalce was in Washington, D.C., he was an intellectual giant and his reputation for bi-partisanship was instrumental in shaping landmark legislation, including his success in working with Republican counterparts to get financial institutions to protect the personal information of their customers (Gramm/Leach/Bliley Act). In addition, he spearheaded the EPA investigation into the Love Canal residential environmental disaster in Niagara County that led to landmark Superfund legislation to remediate contaminated sites and hold polluters accountable. Sponsoring the Americans with Disabilities Act, advancing labor rights, improving access to credit for women and allowing women to get a business loan without a male co-sign (Women’s Business Ownership Act), were among his many legislative achievements that were founded on his lifelong commitment to economic justice for all people.
Congressman LaFalce served the residents of the western Monroe County towns and Orleans County from his Rochester and/or Spencerport District Offices from 1986 until his retirement. When home in the district, he tackled a broad spectrum of issues, including health care accessibility, post office expansions, Lake Ontario water levels, Route 531 development, HUD/USDA water grants throughout Orleans County, and helping farmers.
Congressman LaFalce was passionate about connecting with constituents and held numerous town halls and public meetings; IRS Seminars; health care presentations (SUNY Brockport, Lakeside Hospital); office hours/appointments with residents; and even hosting Italian-themed lunches with the Monroe County town supervisors of Clarkson, Gates, Hamlin, Ogden, Parma, and Sweden in his Spencerport Office discussing the needs and concerns of their residents.
One morning while traveling the district, Congressman LaFalce received a phone call from a high school principal asking him if he could come to talk to students who were concerned when the Persian Gulf War broke out. The Congressman pulled off the Thruway and did so. In another instance, he facilitated bringing home a local teenager, who faced a dire immigration issue. Even when responding to an American flag request from a Spencerport businessman, he personally delivered it. Congressman LaFalce valued his connections with the people of his district and worked hard to serve each of them to the best of his abilities. No issue was too big or too small.
As we reflect on the years we worked for the Congressman LaFalce, much of our office time was spent assisting constituents navigate federal agencies (Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Department of State, Labor, Immigration & Naturalization Service, I.R.S., U.S. Armed Forces, etc.) to help resolve a problem they were experiencing. Over the years, we guided 70 college interns in his offices. The Congressman valued these young people, knowing their hands-on learning was a springboard to future jobs and opportunities in public service. One of the many successful interns is now the first woman serving as the United States District Judge for the Western District of New York.
Congressman John LaFalce had an intellectual curiosity that perfectly matched the high standards that he and the public demanded. He was compassionate and deeply dedicated to his work on behalf of others. He always felt it was an honor to serve the people and we felt it was an honor to work for him.
Hanny Heyen
Jennifer Skoog-Harvey
Louann Dellanoce
Julie Bottone
