[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ``GRANNY D''

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 1999

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, last month, I had the distinct 
pleasure of meeting in my congressional district with Doris Haddock, 
known nationally now as Granny D, and a former Member of this body and 
current Secretary of State in West Virginia, Ken Hechler.
  Granny D, an 89-year-old youngster from New Hampshire, began a cross-
country journey in Los Angeles in January. She is walking across 
America to bring attention to the need for meaningful campaign finance 
reform, On January 12, 1999, she visited me in my district office in 
Colton, California.
  Granny D is spritely and passionately opinionated on the issue of 
campaign finance reform. So spritely and so passionate, in fact, that 
she will walk 3,055 miles this year through 210 cities and towns from 
Pasadena to Washington, DC. I hope that many of my colleagues will have 
the pleasure of meeting her and listening to her message as she walks 
through their congressional districts.
  Public interest in and support for her cause is swelling. As we stood 
outside my office in Colton, passersby recognized Granny D and rushed 
forward to speak with her. In the homes where she stays on her trek, 
enthusiastic neighbors and community groups gather to hear her message.
  Granny D's effort is non-partisan and inclusive. She wants more 
ordinary citizens to become aware of campaign financing and remedies 
for soft money intrusions into electoral politics. She supports the 
Shays-Meehan bill, which I co-sponsored.
  I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting this remarkable 
women and in agreeing to at last seriously take up the issue of 
campaign finance reform in this Congress.

                          ____________________