US Representative for New York's 26th district. Born in Buffalo, NY, October 6, 1959; B.A., Buffalo State College, 1984; M.A., Buffalo State College, 1985; M.P.A., Harvard University, 1996; lecturer, Buffalo State College; member of the Buffalo common council, 1988-1994; member of the New York state assembly, 1999-2004; elected as a Democrat to the 109th and subsequent Congresses (January 3, 2005-present).