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[Page H4431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN MEMORY OF DARYL ANN PENNINGTON
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer) for 5 minutes.
Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I share the
news that a great friend and public servant has passed away.
Daryl Ann Pennington was a dear friend, trusted member of my staff,
and a tireless advocate for Maryland's Fifth District.
For the past 12 years, Daryl served as a caseworker in my office in
Greenbelt, Maryland, serving Prince George's County, Calvert County,
and Anne Arundel County. Earlier, she had worked for former Maryland
State Senator Ulysses Currie.
Mr. Speaker, she knew the Fifth District and its communities better
than almost anyone, and she cared deeply about the people who called,
emailed, and wrote to us asking for assistance with Federal agencies
and help accessing government services. In particular, Daryl was a
fierce advocate for our district seniors, but she was also a mentor to
countless young people, including interns who came to our district
office and learned lessons from Daryl, not only about serving our
constituents but how to approach life through perseverance, faith, and
positive thinking.
Daryl drew heavily on her personal faith as a member of the Evangel
Cathedral in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, for more than a quarter of a
century, and as a partner with Dr. Corinthia Ridgely Boone of the
International Christian Host Coalition organizing the National Capital
Region's Day of Prayer for many, many years.
Mr. Speaker, she believed strongly that prayer was a powerful tool,
not only to connect with her creator, but to connect with others here
on Earth, to communicate her love for others, and to spread peace and
joy to those around her, which she surely did. Her sense of humor, her
wit, her warmth will be sorely missed not only by her colleagues in my
office, but by all who knew her.
I and all of us who worked so closely with Daryl will miss her very,
very much. Daryl had so many spiritual daughters and the many young
women who looked up to her over the years as a mentor and friend, but
her pride and joy were her five children: Laura, Christie, Toi, Peter,
and Lenny, as well as her grandchildren to whom, of course, she was
devoted.
A native of Rochester, New York, Daryl made her final journey home in
July when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and departed Maryland
to seek treatment closer to family at the University of Rochester
Medical Center. We had all hoped to welcome her back soon, but sadly,
Daryl's condition worsened quickly last week, and she passed away on
Saturday morning with her family by her side.
Mr. Speaker, Daryl was a true friend and partner in service to the
people of Maryland's Fifth District. She will long be remembered by
those she helped and by those of us who worked closely with her.
Her passing is a great loss to my constituents, our office, to this
House, and to our country. I hope my colleagues will join me in
offering her family the condolences of the whole House and the thanks
of a Nation grateful for patriotic Americans like Daryl Ann Pennington
who serve their country and communities so dutifully and so well.
Mr. Speaker, now Daryl rests in peace with God, whom she served so
faithfully throughout her life.
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