[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO CLAIRE L. CUMMINGS AND MARY CONSTANTINO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this time to acknowledge 
the outstanding contributions Claire L. Cummings and Mary Constantino 
have made to the second congressional district of Massachusetts, to our 
state, our nation, and the Democratic party. In particular I would like 
to recognize their longstanding service on the Milford, Massachusetts 
Democratic Committee.
  The Milford Democratic Committee assists the Democratic party and 
their candidates in reaching the citizens of Milford with the message 
of the Democratic party. Both Claire and Mary have worked hard to 
extend the message of the Democratic party into the Town of Milford.
  Claire L. Cummings has been an active member of the Milford 
Democratic Committee for thirty five years. Prior to being a member of 
the Democratic Committee Claire was actively involved in her community, 
attending and participating in Milford Town Meetings. She was also the 
first woman in Milford to run for the office of selectman. It was at 
this time the Milford Democratic Committee asked Claire to become a 
member of the committee. Claire L. Cummings has made it a point to 
attend every Democratic state convention, and particularly remembers 
the National Presidential Convention of Lyndon B. Johnson. Outside of 
politics she was involved in other community service groups such as: 
the Democratic Women on Wheels and the Telephone Pioneers of America.
  Mary Constantino began her political career at the early age of 
eighteen. Mary has worked hard for the Milford Democratic Committee, 
going door to door asking for votes. She has also been influential in 
persuading many to join the Democratic party. In all of her thirty five 
years of membership she has never missed a Democratic convention held 
in Milford, Massachusetts. Mary is also involved in her community in 
many other ways. She has been a member of the Grandparents for Literacy 
group, and was honored by the Jaycees for her work with children. She 
was named Woman of the Year by the American Heart Association, in honor 
of her eighteen years of service. Mary Constantino is an asset to the 
town of Milford and the state of Massachusetts.
  Both Claire L. Cummings and Mary Constantino are assets to the 
Milford Democratic Committee, their state, and our nation. I am pleased 
to recognize the contributions of both of these women to the second 
congressional district of Massachusetts.

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