[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 114 (Tuesday, July 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H8802-H8803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORY OF AUGUSTA HORNBLOWER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Torkildsen] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. TORKILDSEN. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise in affectionate 
remembrance of a good friend and a great Republican, Augusta ``Gusty'' 
Hornblower.
  Earlier today the House voted to name the Post Office in Gusty's 
hometown in her honor. Gusty Hornblower was an unwavering selfless 
public servant. This post office, this public space, is a fitting 
tribute to a woman who devoted her life to the citizens of 
Massachusetts.
  As a sophomore on summer break from UMass-Amherst, I first met this 
courageous woman when we were both working on a congressional campaign. 
I was awed by her sense of humor, her political acumen, her colorful 
personality, and, most of all, her sense of commitment. Later we would 
both be elected to the Massachusetts House in the class of 1984 and 
serve together in the Committee on Taxation. There was one thing that 
Gusty could always be counted on to do and that was advocate for a tax 
cut any time of the year.
  In addition to serving five terms in the Massachusetts House, Gusty 
sat on many boards and community efforts and worked tirelessly to 
preserve the Commonwealth's rich cultural heritage. She served on the 
Board of Overseers of the Plimoth Plantation, founded by her father 
Henry Hornblower II and on the board of trustees of the Schwamb Mill 
Preservation Trust. She also held a seat on the Martha's Vineyard 
Commission.
  Toward the end of her life, Gusty bravely battled breast cancer, 
using her increasingly scarce time and energy to advocate for breast 
cancer education, research and awareness. Those

[[Page H8803]]

of us who knew Gusty were not surprised by her positive attitude and 
fighting approach toward the disease. We had seen her tackle every 
aspect of her life the same way. While the disease finally took Gusty 
from us, her legendary advocacy continues to reap benefits for people 
throughout her district, our State and our Nation.
  We will always think fondly of Gusty Hornblower.

                          ____________________