[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 148 (Wednesday, November 30, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: November 30, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                ELIZABETH JULIA (BETTY) MARRA REMEMBERED

                                 ______


                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                               of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 1994

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I insert in the Congressional Record a eulogy 
I delivered for Betty Marra last Friday:

       The inevitability of death does not diminish the shock when 
     it arrives prematurely and unexpectedly.
       Thus came Betty's death: unexpected, premature, unwelcomed.
       Those of us who had been her friend through the years and 
     who, just days ago, had worked with her and experienced her 
     enthusiasm and energy have great difficulty in contemplating 
     her absence.
       She and I graduated from the same high school--Suitland--
     two years apart. We were contemporaries. Therefore, more than 
     most, I know she has died too young.
       We did not know one another in high school, but soon 
     thereafter we became friends as members of the Young 
     Democrats of Prince George's County.
       She loved politics and it was a very large part of her 
     life. And in almost every campaign during the last thirty 
     years, Betty was there.
       Involved.
       Leading.
       Following.
       Helping.
       Making a difference.
       She had come, like so many of us in Prince George's County, 
     from someplace else. But this was home and this is where she 
     made a difference.
       She worked for, taught, learned from, and greatly helped so 
     many of us who have been given the privilege and honor of 
     elected public service.
       From the great Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, 
     Peter Rodino; to Representative Leon Gavin of Pennsylvania; 
     to my friend, Representative Bill Hughes of New Jersey. And, 
     of course, she participated as a member of the staff of the 
     historic Impeachment Inquiry Committee in 1974.
       Her longest continuance employment was, appropriately, with 
     her dad--the patriarch of the wonderful Procopio family, 
     which, like Betty, has made such a positive contribution to 
     the life and well being of our Community.
       Betty always reflected the warmth and graciousness of her 
     mother Rose; and evidenced the love for her brothers: the 
     late Alfonso, Jr., Ray and Joe, and her sisters: Josephine 
     and Linda.
       And, I can remember well Julio as early as the '60's and 
     the contribution he has made, as well. Thank you, Julio, for 
     what you have meant to so many of us.
       Elizabeth Julia Marra was a special person, who reflected 
     what Hubert Humphrey referred to in 1968 as ``the joy of 
     politics.''
       In talking to her sons, Al and Michael, they commented on 
     that joy she shared. The excitement she derived from and 
     brought to her involvement in politics at the County, State 
     and National levels. Precinct official and President were 
     persons she respected for their effort and their commitment.
       In the days before her death she was deeply involved in 
     doing what she loved so much and did so well--making 
     democracy work. She volunteered her time in Governor-elect 
     Glendening's campaign and in mine. And, as always, she made a 
     difference. She made all of us a little more enthusiastic, a 
     little more engaged, and a little more proud of the effort we 
     were making.
       Governor-elect Glendening was sorry that he was unable to 
     be with us today. He asked me to express his personal 
     sympathy to the Marra family and reiterate his great 
     appreciation for all of Betty's contributions to his campaign 
     and to Prince George's County.
       Betty Marra was contagious. And so many of us caught her 
     spark and carry it with us, today. We will remember her and 
     her vitality, her optimism, her drive, her warmth, her faith, 
     her love of life and of all of us.
       History chronicles the contributions of a few and we call 
     those individuals ``famous.''
       Betty was not famous.
       But, Elizabeth Marra, did what all of us should do; she 
     gave freely of her time and talent to make her Community and 
     Country better. She did what President Kennedy urged each of 
     us to do and she did not ``ask what her Country could do for 
     her, but what she could do for her Country.''
       And, as she did, she joined the ranks of thousands who have 
     played a part in preserving and protecting the great nation 
     we love as the ``land of the free and the home of the 
     brave.''
       And so, for what she did for each of us; and what she did 
     for me:
       I say thank you--Betty--we love you and we miss you.

                          ____________________