[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DONNA LARGESS O'CONNOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Donna Largess 
O'Connor. Her political commitment to the ideals of the Democratic 
Party, as well as her contributions to civic and charitable causes 
deserves commendation and respect.
  A life long resident of Shrewsbury, Mrs. O'Connor graduated from 
Shrewsbury High School, Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, and 
Worcester State College. She has been employed since 1973 at the 
Memorial Campus of UMass Memorial Medical Center, currently as Unit 
Manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  While contributing to the care of newborns, Mrs. O'Connor also played 
a special role in the town. She was elected to the board of selectmen, 
serving as Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk during her twelve-year tenure. 
She was a Board member of the Massachusetts Municipal Association; the 
Massachusetts Selectman's Association, Women Elected to Municipal 
Office, and the Worcester County Selectman's Association. Additionally, 
she served as Chair of the Coolidge School Renovation Project, the Town 
of Shrewsbury Growth Study Committee, and the Worcester County Advisory 
Board. Currently, she is a member of the Town of Shrewsbury Finance 
Committee, Town Meeting Member, and a member of the National 
Association of Neonatal Nurses.
  Somehow, Mrs. O'Connor found time for political volunteering as well. 
She served as the Co-Chair with her cousin Linda Parmakian for the 
Committee to Elect Congressman Jim McGovern, member of the Shrewsbury 
Democratic Town Committee, and delegate to many Democratic State 
Conventions. A tireless campaigner, Mrs. O'Connor works hard to secure 
an election.
  However, despite her involvement with her community, her priority has 
always been her family. Mrs. O'Connor has been a familiar sight on the 
playing fields of Shrewsbury. She and her husband John have three sons, 
John, Kevin, and Brian.
  It is a pleasure to present the 2001 Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian 
Award to a woman whose devotion to community and family exemplifies the 
values of Eleanor Roosevelt.

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