COUNTY LEGISLATURE HONORS CARMELA TRIPPI ON HER 99TH BIRTHDAY

The Erie County Legislature honored Carmela Trippi of North Buffalo on the occasion of her 99th birthday at its June 26 session.

Carmela Trippi of Buffalo, at the podium, was recently
honored by the Erie County Legislature in honor of
her 99th birthday. She was joined by, from left:
Vincent Cannarozzo, her grandson; Erie County
Legislature Chair and 11th District Legislator Lynn M.
Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda); her sister, Mary
Geraci; her daughter, Arlene Vincent, and County
Legislature Majority Leader and 6th District County
Legislator Maria R. Whyte (D-Buffalo).

The honorary proclamation was introduced by 11th District Legislator and Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli and 6th District Legislator and Majority Leader, Maria R. Whyte. Both legislators noted that it was women like Ms. Trippi who blazed the trail for women like them to enter politics, to be elected and to serve in leadership positions.

The proclamation noted that Carmela Trippi is the proud and prolific matriarch of a family that includes four children - Ann Barone, Sal Trippi, Rosalie Manzella and Arlene Vincent - 15 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

"Despite the demands of her duties in maintaining and nurturing a growing household, Carmela dedicated herself to community service," Chair Marinelli stated. "Carmela's love for politics rivals, but does not exceed, her love of family, and she has been active in politics for six decades - since 1948 - and served as a Democratic committee woman for 55 years."

"The ninety-nine years since her birth have been highlighted by evolutionary, and sometimes revolutionary, changes in our society," added Legislator Whyte. "Carmela's personal history overlaps the most dramatic events in our nation's history - including two World Wars, the Great Depression, armed conflicts in faraway places such as Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, the civil rights movement and the women's rights movement whose seeds first sprouted with the effort to win the right to vote for women, culminating with the legalization of women's suffrage August 26, 1920, when Carmela was only 11 years old."

"Whether through the love for her family or the love for her party, Carmela Trippi has shown unbridled generosity and an energetic spirit," Chair Marinelli concluded.