[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING MARY HARRIS FOR HER THIRTY-ONE YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate Mary 
Harris, who recently retired from Greater Boston Catholic Charities. In 
her 31 years of service Ms. Harris worked tirelessly to better the 
lives of those around her.
  During her tenure at Catholic Charities, Ms. Harris worked with 
children in day care, foster care and adoption. She also worked with 
families wishing to adopt and families interested in foster care. For 
the past 12 years she served as the Director of the Eastern Middlesex 
County Foster Grandparent Program. This program has a multitude of 
benefits for both seniors and children. Seniors volunteer in schools 
and daycare centers, help with fundraisers, promote the Foster 
Grandparent Program, and learn about children from a variety of 
educators. Seniors also gain the knowledge that they are needed and can 
make a difference in the lives of children. The children get the 
privilege of having more people in their lives who care about them and 
are exposed to different perspectives and wisdom.
  Ms. Harris has not only administered the program, but also shown the 
participants how much she values them. She makes sure that ill Foster 
Grandparents are taken care of, helping however she can. She often 
helps with shopping and getting medications.
  Running the Foster Grandparent Program is not all Ms. Harris does for 
her community. She also manages the St. Gerard Thrift Store in 
Somerville and worked to make the holiday season more pleasant for 
families in need. She worked with the Christ Child Society to purchase 
over 100 jackets for children. She also helped to put together food 
baskets for needy families and distributed Christmas toys.
  A lifelong resident of Cambridge and Somerville, Mary Harris is a 
true credit to her community and to the 8th District. Her work has 
improved the lives of both young and old. Her dedication is worthy of 
praise and her works of heartfelt appreciation. People like Ms. Harris 
are examples to others and proof that one person can make a difference. 
I wish her a relaxing and fulfilling retirement.

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