[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                       A TRIBUTE TO HELEN BENTLEY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to join our colleagues in 
paying tribute to the gentlelady from Maryland, Mrs. Helen Delich 
Bentley.
  I remember Mrs. Bentley's first election to the Congress in 1984, 
because her reputation preceded her: a reputation as a no-nonsense, get 
things done individual, which was earned during her numerous careers as 
a successful businesswoman, newspaper reporter and editor, and Chairman 
of the Federal Maritime Commission.
  Helen Bentley's mark on this chamber will not be soon forgotten. Her 
service on the Appropriations Committee, especially on the Subcommittee 
on Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education, as well as on the 
Subcommittee on Military Construction, established her reputation as an 
easily accessible as well as a highly knowledgeable colleague.
  Quite often, when a Member of Congress retires, we are hard pressed 
to find a suitable way to memorialize that Member. This is not the case 
with Helen Delich Bentley: her memorial is and remains the harbor in 
the City of Baltimore. Once, Helen told an interviewer, ``I feel like 
the mother of modern Baltimore.'' This was an entirely apt self-
description: even before coming to the Congress, Helen was working hard 
to modernize and dredge the harbor. Today, Baltimore Harbor is not only 
one of the busiest ports anywhere in the world, it is also now 
recognized as a major tourist and business attraction. This development 
owes more to Helen Delich Bentley than to anyone else.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite all of our colleagues to join me in saluting 
Helen Delich Bentley, and extending our best wishes to her and her 
husband William, with hopes for a long, healthy, happy and productive 
retirement.

                          ____________________