[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 38 (Friday, March 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HELEN HORRAL

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                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 20, 1997

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Helen 
Horral of Duluth, MN.
  Helen Horral has rendered long and distinguished, dedicated service 
to the people and city of Duluth. She served on the Housing 
Redevelopment Authority [HRA] from 1985-1995, acting as president of 
the authority for 1 year. The HRA sets policy for Duluth's low-income 
housing and creates solutions to the city's low-income housing needs.
  Helen has also served on the Single Room Occupancy Commission [SRO]. 
The SRO advises the city of Duluth on homelessness and the use of 
shelters and food banks, and it oversees grants and loans to SRO 
building owners to improve living standards and make housing more 
affordable. While serving on the SRO, Helen was a staunch advocate for 
the residents, making sure that the tenants were treated with respect. 
She was known as the resident caretaker of the SRO Commission.
  The motivation for Helen's laudable efforts on behalf of the HRA and 
SRO is that she wants to help people less fortunate than herself. Many 
years ago, she saw that numerous Duluthians, especially senior 
citizens, had financial difficulties and could not afford decent 
housing. Helen decided to attack the problem head-on and take an active 
role in finding solutions. As a result of Helen's hard work, there has 
been real improvement in Duluth's low-income housing; there are now 
more low-income, high-quality units in Duluth, and low-income senior 
citizens can live in dignity. Even though she is now 82 years old, 
Helen continues to help others by planning meals and serving as a 
volunteer cook at senior citizens' centers around the city, which she 
has done for many years.
  In addition to actively helping senior citizens, Helen has been 
involved in politics in Duluth for more than 25 years. She works as a 
volunteer for candidates in Minnesota during election years and is 
involved in grassroots politics all year long. Helen also provides 
transportation to seniors who do not drive, and she hosts political 
dinners and meetings on numerous occasions each year.
  The 1996 election provided a good example of Helen's devotion to the 
political process. At one point near the end of the election, Helen 
worked at a campaign office in Duluth for 24 hours in a 2-day period. 
She did this not because she was asked to, but because she wanted to 
help. On many cold Minnesota winter days, when the next election may be 
more than a year away, Helen is still the first person at political 
meetings. And she rarely shows up for meetings or at the campaign 
headquarters alone--she is the best volunteer recruiter in the district 
and frequently encourages senior citizens to become involved in the 
political process.
  Helen says, with very simple, honest modesty that she has been 
blessed in her life and wants to share that blessing by working to 
assist those less fortunate. Helen truly understands the value of life 
and the worth of helping others. I am proud and honored to share with 
my colleagues this brief, but deserved tribute to Helen Horral, who has 
given so much of herself to enrich the lives of others and to serve her 
community. She is both a role model and an inspiration.

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