. >> stephanie: service has always been central to garneau's life. the buffalo fire commissioner for seven years before retiring in 2017. but now he has a different sense of duty. on june 7, 2022, he appeared before the u.s. senate judiciary committee in washington calling on lawmakers to act on white supremacy. >> we're more than hurt. we're angry. because this should have never happened. every enforcement agency charged with protecting the homeland have risks and determined white supremacy is the number one threat to the homeland and yet nothing's been done to mid gate it . before my mom i wasn't an activist. i wasn't out talking about these things in the manner that i should. i wasn't using my platform or my voice for that purpose. >> reporter: at least $1.1 billion in state and federal if you understand have been ear marked for improvements in east buffalo. garnell like many in the community want a say in how that money will be spent. >> i would like to extend a very warm welcome to our invited panelists. >> reporter: in august he spoke with a pa