[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 120 (Thursday, September 11, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MARY CHALFANT: DEDICATED TO PRESERVING MORRIS COUNTY'S HERITAGE

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 1997

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to my 
constituent and friend Mary Chalfant. Mary recently retired after 21 
years of dedicated service to preserving the heritage of one of our 
Nation's most historically important counties, through her work on the 
Morris County Heritage Commission.
  Mary first became involved with the Morris County Heritage Commission 
when she became interested in one of the county's many Revolutionary 
War Era historical sites, the Lewis Condict House--home to the Women's 
Club of Morristown. She quickly became indispensable, serving as 
executive secretary of the commission. As current Heritage Commission 
Chairperson Nancy Knapp noted, ``They don't make them like Mary any 
more.'' ``She has been the heart and soul of the commission'', added 
Frances Pingeon, a former chairperson of the commission. Mary's total 
dedication and deft communications skills made her an irreplaceable 
asset.
  Throughout her years of service, Mary was instrumental in the 
Heritage Commission's most important projects. These include the 
commission's historic marker program, the wonderful tour brochures of 
Morris County municipalities, the 39 volume ``Morris County Historic 
Sites Survey,'' and the ``Highlights of History: 300 Years in Morris 
County'' slide show, not to mention the many other brochures and annual 
publications on Morris County's rich history and fascinating historical 
sites.
  A resident of Morristown since 1950, Mary Chalfant has devoted her 
efforts to other organizations as well, including Morristown Memorial 
Hospital, the Morris County bicentennial committee, and the Morris 
County Historical Society. Mary remains involved in the Woman's Club of 
Morristown and Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, also in Morristown. 
Anyone who has worked alongside Mary knows how her enthusiasm and 
warmth have touched thousands of people in Morris County and New 
Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Mary Chalfant for all her efforts with 
the commission and so many other organizations. She is a tireless 
worker, dedicated, compassionate and so very loyal to all she serves. I 
wish Mary all the best in her retirement from the Heritage Commission 
knowing that her work there with so many commissioners has assured that 
Morris County's rich heritage will be better preserved.

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