Buffalo Nite - 2009

A thank you note to the Buffalo Nite Committee,
It was a great pleasure to meet you all at Buffalo Nite. The evening was jammed packed with people, events and food! It was so thrilling to see my dad, Donald E. Will receive the "Charging Buffalo" Award. He certainly is a worthy recipient. As a company we are proud of the award and hope to participate for years to come.

Sincerely,
Joanne Will-Kaminski
Will Poultry Company, Inc.

Thank You to our Buffalo Nite Corporate Contributors!

Gold Contributor
M&T Bank

Pacemaker Contributors
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
CUBRC, Inc.
Independent Community Bankers of America
International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Ironworkers
Moog, Inc.

Chairman Contributors
American Trucking Associations
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York
Corning Incorporated
West Valley Environmental Services, LLC
Delaware North Companies, Inc.

Bison Contributors
Buffalo Bills
HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA)
Jenwil Realty Inc.
Niasher Realty Inc.
Reeds Jewelers/Jenss Décor

Special thanks to “Friends of Buffalo”
Dave Morris & Tish Weichmann-Morris
WestEndDC Real Estate
Executive Healthcare Services
Winning Strategies Washington
Madelyn & Richard Schrader
Terry Campbell
Frank Sardo & Mike Finn
Andrew M. Ray
Chuck Hobbie

Buffalo Nite - 2009

 

The History of Buffalo Nite

Inauguration
In 1978, the event started with the modest beginnings in the Capitol, Room EF100. Staffers from the Offices of Representatives Kemp, LaFalce, and Nowak organized the event. Large and enthusiastic crowds spilled into the Capitol hallways as the inaugural event called The Buffalo Party.” The tradition exhibiting Buffalo pride through signature food and drinks and an event format was established. “The Buffalo Party” continued under the management of Western New York Congressional staffers through 1985.

Evolution
The Buffalo Chamber of Commerce ran the renamed “Buffalo Night in Washington, D.C. from 1986 to 1992. The event was held in Washington hotels and other venues in the Cannon, Longsworth, and Rayburn Buildings of the House of Representatives. Additional Buffalo flavor and hometown management was added.

Revolution
The New York State Society assumed stewardship in 1993. A larger committee implemented a multitude of ideas. The event was entitled “Buffalo Nite” and the “Charging Buffalo” Award was presented to recognize outstanding Buffalonians. There was more corporate sponsorship, more food, live music, charitable contributions, and a unique logo created. Buffalo Nite receives annual support from New York Senators and Members of Congress. Attendance at Buffalo Nite and membership in the New York State Society increases annually.

Tradition
A showcase of Buffalo, New York State’s second largest city, Buffalo Nite is an annual celebration of Buffalo pride and traditions right in the heart of our Nation’s Capital. The “City of Good Neighbors” legacy attracts hundreds of local Buffalo people and fellow New Yorkers. Friend, food, fun, reminiscence, comradeship, and conversation are sparked by thoughts of Millionaires Row, Kleinhans Music Hall, Hertel, Elmwood and Chippewa haunts, the HSBC Arena, the new airport terminal, the Aud, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, Lake Erie and the waterfront, Albright Knox, Delaware Park, the Bills, Sabres, and Bisons, the universities, Our Lady of Victory National Shrine, the Allentown Festival and the Broadway Market and Anchor Bar. Buffalo, each year, is number one for a special night in the shadow of the Nation’s Capitol Dome.