[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1769-E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE CELIA HARE MARTIN

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                           HON. E de la GARZA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 1995
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, this past weekend my longtime previous 
administrative assistant, Celia Hare Martin, passed away. I was deeply 
saddened to hear this news as I know those of you who knew Celia will 
be too.
  In a city where this word is all too loosely used, Celia Hare Martin 
was an institution. For over 40 years she helped to grease the wheels 
here in Congress and to make things run smoothly and more efficiently.
  She first came to Congress in 1948 when she was employed by then 
Congressman Lloyd Bentsen, Jr. as his secretary--the top staff position 
at that time. When Lloyd Bentsen retired, she stayed on with his 
successor, Joe M. Kilgore, in that same position. When I was elected 
and came to Congress in January of 1965 I was fortunate to inherit her 
as my administrative assistant. She worked here when former President 
Gerald Ford was a neighbor just down the hall, and when an energetic 
young Congressman named Jack Kennedy greeted her in passing each day. 
These were the days when dictaphones and typewriters were hi-tech. They 
were very special times.

[[Page E 1770]]

  Anyone who knew Celia knows how witty, energetic and intelligent she 
was. She thoroughly understood the legislative process and the workings 
of this institution, and she met every challenge head on. In fact, the 
motto by which she operated was that the impossible only takes a bit 
longer to achieve. When Celia took on a task that usually proved to be 
true. It is the standard she set for my office--an admirable goal 
indeed, and one which we have always sought to live up to.
  She was above all a woman who knew how to get things done, who never 
accepted the mediocre and who always believed that we were all here to 
serve and to make a difference. That is exactly what Celia did. As my 
administrative assistant she made a difference in the quality of life 
in the 15th District of Texas which I am privileged to represent. To my 
constituency back home Celia was known as ``our lady in Washington.'' 
She lived up to that title and more.
  Celia Hare Martin truly was a maverick in her time, and I should add 
a local legend by virtue of the fact that she has had the longest 
tenure of any employee in one congressional office. As far as I am 
concerned there has never been anyone like her and there never will be 
again. She is going to be greatly missed.


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