[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MARJORIE MURPHY ON BEING NAMED THE COHASSET MARINER'S CITIZEN 
                              OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT

                            of massachsetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Marjorie 
Murphy, who has recently been named Citizen of the Year by the Cohasset 
Mariner, a respected newspaper on the South Shore of Boston, MA. 
Marjie, as she is affectionately known, has made a positive impact on 
the lives of families throughout the area for 30 years. Originally a 
first grade teacher, she soon realized her true passion was introducing 
youngsters to the wonder of a good book. For the next quarter-century, 
Marjie touched countless lives as a librarian at Deer Hill Elementary 
School in Cohasset.
  With her lifetime of public service in mind, Mr. Speaker, I submit to 
my colleagues this Cohasset Mariner tribute:

                          Citizen of the Year

                             (By Mary Ford)

       As editor of the Cohasset Mariner, it is my pleasure to 
     announce that Marjorie Murphy is the Citizen of the Year. The 
     mother of three and grandmother of two has touched countless 
     lives through her roughly 25 years as school librarian at 
     Deer Hill.
       With eyes that twinkle and an infectious smile, Mrs. 
     Murphy--fondly known as Marjie--can make even the oldest 
     readers among as decide to pick up a children's book, perhaps 
     for the first time in many years.
       Mrs. Murphy did not start out as a librarian. She taught 
     the first grade and wasn't so sure being in the library was 
     the right place for her--until she tried it, and then she 
     didn't look back.
       She doesn't forget any of the hundreds of children that 
     have passed through the doors to her warm, welcoming library 
     complete with sofas to curl up and read upon.
       While nominations were open, a total of 33 different 
     individuals, families or organizations took the time to 
     propose a citizen for the annual award--detailing his or her 
     contributions to help make this town we all love a better 
     place.
       The selection panel consisting of Judy Volungis of Forest 
     Avenue, Betsy Connolly of Lily Pond Lane and Roger Hill of 
     Highland Avenue joined myself, editor Mary Ford, on Sunday to 
     pore over the heartfelt letters of nomination.
       Barb Mullin wrote, ``With Marjie, children always come 
     first. She's never too busy to help a child select that 
     `perfect' book or listen to a review of their latest read. 
     It's a pleasure to watch former students drop by--and they 
     frequently do! She never seems to forget a face or a name. 
     Ask any one of them about a teacher who positively influenced 
     them and Marjie's name always pops up.''
       Claire Cahill said Mrs. Murphy deserved the award for her 
     many yeas of dedication to the children of Cohasset.
       ``Her smile, her sparks of enthusiasm, and her unending 
     quest to interest every child in her love of reading has made 
     her a very likely candidate for Citizen of the Year,'' wrote 
     Karen Murphy.
       Dot and Lee Cisneros stated, ``Marjie is a giver. She has 
     given and continues to give of her time, her knowledge, her 
     understanding, her devotion to selling the young and the old 
     on her definition of the value of learning.''
       Judith Collins simply said. ``She makes each child feel 
     special.''
       So we extend our warm congratulations to Mrs. Murphy, who 
     has devoted her life to helping children discover the wonders 
     of reading and the value of a good book.
       With this award, the Cohasset Mariner offers recognition 
     for making a difference. In our society too many role models 
     go unrecognized. Too often people today look to the sports, 
     rock or movie stars with envy, when the real hero is the 
     local police officer, firefighter, parent, teacher, church 
     leader, neighbor or government official.
       The annual Citizen of the Year Award is our way of taking 
     our hats off to those among us who go that extra mile without 
     asking for anything in return but the intrinsic reward of 
     helping to make Cohasset a better place.

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