Siena College is honored to recognize the achievements of Jack Quinn, Class of 1973, a former United States Congressman whose life and career illustrate a commitment to the spirit of St. Francis.
After graduating from Siena College, Jack Quinn began his career as an English teacher in the Orchard Park School District, where for 10 years he taught and coached basketball, football, and track and field. He went on to earn his Masters Degree in Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and to become certified as a school district superintendent through the New York State Education Department.
Former Congressman Quinn first served the Buffalo, NY area as a public servant when he was elected to the Hamburg Town Board. He served on the Board as Supervisor of the Town of Hamburg for nine years, until his election to Congress in 1992.
As a member of Congress, Jack Quinn represented Buffalo's 30th Congressional District, later redistricted as the 27th District: he is the only Siena graduate ever to serve in the U.S. Congress. Quinn's early successes in Congress demonstrated both his political independence and his commitment to the people of his districts. Over his 12 year congressional career, Quinn successfully opened and closed thousands of cases on behalf of individual constituents, leading the fight to increase the minimum wage, helping veterans to obtain benefits, and ensuring that senior citizens acquired their Social Security payments, among other efforts.
One highlight among many of Former Congressman Quinn's accomplishments is his work as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads. As a tireless supporter of Amtrak, he fought to preserve its integral position in our nation's infrastructure, to improve passenger safety, and to win passage of the Railroad Retirement Survivors Act, signed into law in 2001. He also served as a member of the Veteran's Affairs Committee and the Transportation Subcommittees on Aviation and Highways and Mass Transit. He chaired the Benefits Subcommittee and the Executive Committee of the Congressional Steel Caucus.
The awards Former Congressman Quinn has received may outnumber even his achievements. Some of his honors include: Siena College's Joseph A. Buff Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement; the prestigious AMVETS Silver Helmet Award for his work on behalf of our nation's veterans; the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; the Legislative Leadership Award from the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans; the Bernadine of Siena Medal for service, by Siena College; and the Government Service Award from the Buffalo AFL-CIO Council, for his work on behalf of working men and women. In addition, Congressional Quarterly named him one of the Top 50 '"Most Effective" Lawmakers in Washington.
Former Congressman Quinn now brings his first-hand understanding of Capitol Hill to his position as President of the firm Cassidy & Associates. He lives with his wife in Alexandria, VA, where they can also follow the career of their son, Jack III, 26, who is the youngest state representative ever elected to the New York State Legislature.