[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 123 (Thursday, September 20, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO MARY CURTIS DAVEY ON BEING AWARDED THE 2001 JOSEPH AND FRANK 
             DUVENECK HUMANITARIAN AWARD FOR LOCAL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American and 
distinguished Californian, Mary Curtis Davey, who is being honored with 
the 2001 Josephine and Frank Duveneck Humanitarian Award for local 
service on Saturday, September 22, 2001, in Los Altos Hills, 
California.
  In 1966, Mary Curtis Davey became the first woman to serve on the Los 
Altos Hills City Council. during her 6-year tenure, she distinguished 
herself through her unparalleled support of open space and fair 
housing. Through her civic and community involvement, Mary Curtis Davey 
has improved countless lies on the Peninsula, by focusing on housing 
for low-income residents, basic services for the elderly, and 
encouraging others to engage in volunteer work, non-profit 
organizations and local government. Among the organizations that have 
benefited from her effective leadership are the United Way of Santa 
Clara County, the American Red Cross, Avenidas, Bay Area Action, and 
Committee for Green Foothills.
  At the request of legendary humanitarian Josephine Duveneck, Mary 
Curtis Davey joined the Board of Trust for the Hidden Villa 
environmental Preserve in 1966 where she served for 20 years, including 
four as its president. A 1600-acre oasis for both children and adults, 
the Hidden Villa provides a forum for participants to take part in 
educational and community-building programs that teach social justice 
and respect for all living things. In 1971, Mary Curtis Davey organized 
the Friends of Hidden Villa to continue fund raising, and in 1997 she 
chaired the annual Duveneck Awards Dinner for multicultural programs.
  Mary Curtis Davey helped found the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space 
District in 1972, an invaluable organization created to safeguard, 
protect and preserve open space in and around the urban areas of 
Silicon Valley. The District's 23 preserves are open to the public free 
of charge. Mary Curtis Davey now serves on the Board of Directors for 
the District, representing the communities of Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Los 
Altos Hills and Stanford.
  Since 1960, when she and her husband, Jack, and their three children 
first arrived in California from Maryland, Mary Curtis Davey has 
championed thee and other causes among a host of volunteer and non-
profit organizations. She has been an exceptional voice and a 
passionate advocate for improving the quality of life in our community. 
It is therefore fitting that Mary Curtis Davey is being honored with 
the 2001 Josephine and Frank Duveneck Humanitarian Award. Mr. Speaker, 
I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great and good woman 
who has given so much to our community and to our environment. We are 
indeed a better nation, a better society and a better people because of 
her.

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