[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF HELEN HORRAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, it is with tremendous respect and deepest 
sympathy that I rise today to honor Mrs. Helen Horral who died January 
3, 2004, at the age of 87. Helen Horral was a loyal Democrat and a 
vocal activist who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. For 
the last seventeen years, Mrs. Horral dedicated her life to helping 
working people, the elderly and the struggling underclass through her 
tireless advocacy for affordable housing, and senior citizen rights.
  From 1985 to 1995, Helen helped set low income housing policies by 
serving on the Duluth Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA). She also 
served as president of the Authority for one year and helped create 
solutions for Duluth's low-income housing needs. In addition, Helen was 
a member of the Single Room Occupancy Commission (SRO) examining issues 
of homelessness and the use of shelters and food banks. As part of the 
SRO Commission, she worked to improve living standards and make housing 
more affordable. While serving on the SRO commission, Helen was a 
staunch advocate for residents, ensuring that tenants were treated with 
respect. She came to be known as the ``resident caretaker'' of the SRO 
Commission.
  Her deep compassion and bold sincerity made her one of the most 
respected women in the Democratic Farmer Labor party history. 
Accordingly, Mrs. Horral was one of the first inductees to the DFL 
party's Women's Hall of Fame, in 2000. Yet she did not set out to be 
noticed; for most of her life, her tireless work was done without 
acknowledgement. Helen was the driving force behind Duluth's political 
scene, spending countless hours in campaign offices, hosting political 
dinners, and recruiting other volunteers to engage in the political 
process. In the end, Helen did all of this not because she was asked, 
but because she felt a passion to provide service to those less 
fortunate in our society.
  Mr. Speaker, today I would like to openly recognize Mrs. Helen 
Horral's dedication and exceptional service to Minnesota politics and 
the DFL Party. She has had a tremendous impact on my community and on 
many communities throughout
  Minnesota. As a result of Helen's dedicated work, there has been real 
improvement in Duluth's low-income housing; there are now more low-
income, high quality units in Duluth, and low-income senior citizens 
are living in the dignity they deserve.
  My thoughts and prayers go out to Helen's family; her son Duane 
Horral; sisters Betty Guinn and Maxine Hoppus; and her five 
grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. I extend my deepest 
condolences and sympathy to those whose lives
  Helen touched, which have undoubtedly grown dimmer since her passing. 
Her contributions will be forever remembered, her presence forever 
missed, and her memory forever in our hearts.

                          ____________________