Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Pages H7135-H7136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BETSY BOSSART FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE
(Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, all of us who serve in this House are
deeply indebted to our hardworking staff who enable us to serve our
constituents and meet the rigorous demands of this job.
In particular, all of us are grateful for our district directors, as
we are for all of our staff. But our district directors are ``us'' for
so many instances, for so many constituents, and for so many different
events.
They represent us when we cannot be there, when we are here in
Washington. They are our eyes and ears on the ground when we are here.
They are the angels on our shoulders who remind us that everything we
do on a national level needs to benefit our constituents back home.
For the past 30 years, I have been blessed--the Fifth Congressional
District has been blessed--to be a colleague of Betsy Bossart.
I love Betsy Bossart, and my constituents love Betsy Bossart.
Before she served as my district director, she was my administrative
assistant, the jack of all trades who made sure my office ran smoothly,
and served as one of my chief advisers.
Betsy joined my staff on March 3, 1989, 30 years ago, and until she
retired--sadly, from my perspective--last month, she served me, the
people of the Fifth District, and our country every day.
With her departure, my office--and, indeed, this House--is diminished
by the end of her extraordinary service.
Betsy gave her time and energy selflessly for the people of the Fifth
District, working many, many late nights, many weekends, and long days.
She has taken meetings with every organization and visited nearly
every school and medical facility and government office in the counties
I represent.
Betsy Bossart has been so successful as my district director because
she is an excellent listener and has a deep wellspring of empathy for
people.
She has been a role model, Madam Speaker, for others on my staff and
a champion, an advocate for young people coming into public service and
waiting to make differences in their communities and in their country.
She has been an unsung hero of my team for three decades.
It is largely because of Betsy's hard work behind the scenes that we
are able to organize the Rebuilding Together program--formerly known as
Christmas in April--in all five counties in our district. It is a day
of service that brings people from all walks of life together to repair
homes, revitalize communities, and help our neighbors.
Because of Betsy's efforts, we have the annual Fifth District Women's
Luncheon, dedicated to advancing women's equality and raising awareness
of women leaders in the Fifth District and our country.
Because of her, we have robust support for the network of early
childhood centers in Maryland named in memory of my wife, Judy, who had
a wonderful relationship with Betsy as well.
Maryland's Judy Centers will always be a major part of Betsy's
legacy, and the thousands of children and families who benefited from
their services may not know Betsy or what she did to make the Judy
Centers possible, but they will always owe her and her colleagues who
partnered with her on that effort a debt of gratitude.
Along with her friend and my friend, Betty Richardson--another
longtime member of my team, who has since retired but remains very
active in my district--as partners, Betty and Betsy were also
instrumental in launching the annual Fifth District Black History
Breakfast, now in its 38th year.
All the young people who participate in the annual Greater Washington
Soap Box Derby have Betsy to thank for being able to use the Capitol
Grounds.
Madam Speaker, I will look back with many, many, many fond memories
of my time working with Betsy Bossart, my friend, my colleague, my
coworker, whom I had the opportunity to work with to advance the
interest of our district.
We traveled together to South Africa and met with Nelson Mandela,
discussing the important issue of racial justice and unity through
history and healing.
We have attended so many events together across Prince George's
County and southern Maryland, making sure that every one of our
constituent's voices is heard loudly and clearly in Congress.
[[Page H7136]]
As majority leader and Democratic whip over the past 16 years, I have
had to balance service to our district with my responsibilities to our
Caucus and to our country. Betsy has spent every single day of that
time making sure that our district always comes first.
I will miss Betsy. I expect to remain her friend throughout my life,
but I will miss her daily advice and expertise, though I am relieved
that she will always be just a phone call away.
As she retires, Madam Speaker, to spend more time with her husband
and their family in Pennsylvania, I hope my colleagues will join me in
thanking Betsy Bossart for 30 dedicated years, yes, to me, but, more
importantly, to our constituents, to our State, and to our country.
Madam Speaker, were I to speak another 2 hours--as some fear--I could
not thank Betsy Bossart enough.
God bless Betsy Bossart, a wonderful friend, a wonderful American.
____________________