[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 59 (Friday, May 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                             GOOD SAMARITAN

                                 ______


                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 1994

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to honor a 
woman who has dedicated her life to public service and toward the 
betterment of her community. That woman is Mary Douglas of Springfield, 
MA and her story is one that exemplifies the American values of 
perseverance and dedication. She overcame great adversity in order to 
become a civic leader and to stand up for the issues she held dear. Her 
faith in her religion and her dedication to the ideals in which she 
believed are characteristics that exemplify the American spirit.
  Mrs. Douglas was born on October 28, 1919 in Saint Albans, VT to 
Charles and Claira Brace. Mr. Brace, an elevator operator, had five 
children, all girls, of which Mary was the oldest. At the age of 19 
Mary married Harry Douglas and together they had one son, Charles Harry 
Douglas. Today she has two grandchildren, Douggie and Debbie, and two 
great-grandsons. Her true labor of love was to be a nurse, but 
unfortunately she was never able to achieve this goal. In order to 
support her family she took a job at the Bosch Factory in Springfield, 
but an on-the-job injury forced her to leave the factory after 2 years. 
Not willing to leave the work force, Mrs. Douglas persevered and was a 
waitress for many years at numerous Springfield area establishments.
  There have always been two constants in Mary Douglas' life, politics 
and religion. Quite frankly, she is a leader, and she used her 
leadership skills to influence the political world around her. She 
worked on numerous city, State, and national political campaigns, and 
pioneered local senior politics by founding the Tri-Towers council and 
serving as a dedicated representative of the Silver Hair Legislature. A 
faithful parishioner of Sacred Heart Parish in Springfield, religion is 
never far from Mrs. Douglas' mind. Her deep piety is displayed in the 
fact that she has a self-made shrine in her bedroom.
  Mary Douglas defied the odds. Her perseverance and dedication allowed 
her to rise up from meager beginnings to become a local leader. She 
overcame injury and hardship to become a spokesperson for seniors' 
rights, someone who stood up for her beliefs and for the beliefs of her 
friends. One can often hear her say, ``If you need me call me,'' and 
``The phone doesn't stop ringing.'' She is a pillar of her community, 
and her story should be an inspiration to all.

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