Local America 250 Heroes Honored at Congressional Ceremony in Sinclairville

Nearly four dozen Chautauqua County residents have been honored as America 250 Community Heroes. The individuals were recognized during a ceremony Friday afternoon at Cassadaga Valley Central School in Sinclairville. While the United States has remembered "the battles that were fought, presidents who led, the important documents of our founding...and the innovations and inventions that have changed the world" over its 250 years, Congressman Nick Langworthy says this ceremony focused on something "more simple" -- the people...

Nick Langworthy: America's story is about its people

Langworthy says the 47 community members who were nominated through his initiative demonstrate the values that make America special -- service, sacrifice, patriotism, hard work, personal responsibility, and a commitment to something greater than oneself...

Nick Langworthy: they see a need

Langworthy was joined by State Senator George Borrello, State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, Chautauqua County Clerk Greg Carlson and Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone in presenting the honors to the community heroes, who each received medals and certificates.

Here is the full list of local America 250 Community Heroes (in alphabetical order):

Tom Atwell; Arthur Austin, Jr.; Chad Boyland; Bob Bradigan; Donald Brautigam; Allie Burdick; Marie Carrubba; Kathleen Collver; Claude Colton; Paul Fardink; Patricia France; Phyllis Gaerte; Carmen Gilman; Richard Gilman; Alan Gustafson, Sr.; Alan Gustafson, Jr.; Nina Gustafson; Lisa Haglund; Catherine Harrison; June Hover; William Hussey; Stanley Kawski; Corinne Kelly; Renya Knappke; Alycia Lacki; Jeffery Levandoski; Kurt Maytum; Garrett Neel; Charles Nobles; Zen Olow; Dave Ortolano; Ed Pagano; Barbara Parish; Erin Parish; Michael Parish; Cherie Rowland; Dawn Samuelson; Michael Schneider; Thom Shagla; Steven Smith; Harry Snellings; James Stenger; Sean Swan-Leuze; Wes Tessey; Frank Torain; Denise Valvo; Andrew Webster

The full ceremony can be seen below: