[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 54 (Friday, May 3, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MARGARET ``DUTCH'' SILVER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 2, 2002

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the late 
Margaret ``Dutch'' Silver, a highly respected Florida political 
activist whose years of hard work and enthusiasm inspired countless 
people to become involved in the political process and helped several 
of Florida's successful female legislators get their foot in the 
political door.
  A native of Alabama, Dutch entered Tampa's Democratic political scene 
in the 1970s, bringing with her a host of fresh ideas in political 
campaigning and the energy and drive to turn those ideas into 
successful political strategies. Dutch renewed the practice of door-to-
door campaigning and updated the party's approach to political 
canvassing and targeting. Her exuberance encouraged others to become 
activists, and her knowledge and experience soon led her to become the 
executive director of the Hillsborough Democratic Party.
  Many of Florida's Democratic women politicians credit Dutch for 
guiding them to leadership positions. In 1972, Dutch ran Betty Castor's 
campaign to become Hillsborough County's first female Commissioner and 
then advised Betty Castor in her three successful Florida State Senate 
races and her campaign to become state commissioner of education in 
1986. Dutch also ran Fran Davin's Hillsborough County Commission race 
and helped Helen Gordon Davis become elected to the Florida State House 
of Representatives.
  On behalf of the people of Tampa Bay, I offer my deepest sympathy to 
Dutch's family. Through her hard work, dedication and passion to make 
our community, state, nation and world a better place for everyone, 
Dutch helped Florida's Democratic party break ground. She was committed 
to her cause because she loved the work and she believed in the 
political process. Florida has truly lost a trailblazer.

                          ____________________