[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                 TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF BILL HUTCHINSON

                                 ______


                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 1994

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
excellent work of Bill Hutchinson, Director of the Marin Interfaith 
Task Force on Central America. After 9 fruitful and productive years, 
Bill will be stepping down from his post this summer.
  Bill Hutchinson began his involvement with MITF during one of Central 
America's darkest periods--the Reagan years. Like so many others in the 
organization, he was driven by a sense of moral responsibility, unable 
to sit idly by while his own Government sanctioned wars in Central 
America. During his tenure, he has watched people risk their lives, and 
sometimes lose their lives, for the cause of peace and human rights. 
Indeed, Bill has risked his own life for these causes, through his 
presence in El Salvador and other Central American nations during times 
of war.
  It takes a special person to do these things, and it is a special 
organization which appointed him as director 9 years ago. The work of 
Marin Interfaith Task Force on Central America, led by Bill Hutchinson, 
has been a great value to us all.
  The Marin Interfaith Task Force and Bill Hutchinson have been a 
valuable resource to me from the beginning. Shortly after being elected 
to work for the people of Marin and Sonoma Counties as their U.S. 
representative, I met with Bill and others to discuss Central American 
issues. We knew right away that we were natural allies, because we 
shared a sense of commitment to human rights issues. Since then, Bill 
has worked closely with me and my office, and his assistance has 
contributed to my success as a Member of Congress.
  MITF's work, with Bill at the helm, has also been valuable to the 
people of Marin County. The Task Force's work throughout the 1980's and 
90's has put Marin on the map as one of the Nation's leading areas 
advocating for peace and human rights in Central America.
  But finally, and most importantly, this work has been valuable to the 
people of Central America. It is for this reason, after all, that Bill 
and so many others became involved with MITF, and this is the true 
measure of the organization's success. The progress which has been made 
for the people of this region could not have occurred without the work 
of grassroots organizations such as MITF here in the United States.
  While Bill is stepping down from his director post, he will certainly 
stay involved. So, Mr. Speaker, I do not pay tribute to Bill in 
sadness, because I know that he and the Marin Interfaith Task Force on 
Central America will continue moving forward to advocate progress in 
the areas of peace and human rights. I simply wish to recognize Bill 
Hutchinson's efforts, and to wish him the best of luck in the future.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

                          ____________________