[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO MARY ROSE DICKHAUT, SELECTMAN, TOWN OF CLINTON, 
                             MASSACHUSETTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to one 
of the many great local officials who provide such dedicated service to 
the cities and towns all across this country that we are privileged to 
represent. Because our office requires that we are frequently away from 
our constituents, I think we sometimes fail to fully appreciate and 
seldom still acknowledge the daily demands that our mayors, city 
councilors and selectmen encounter in the communities where they live 
and serve.
  For no less than 18 years, Mary Rose Dickhaut has met and mastered 
those daily demands as a selectman in the Town of Clinton, 
Massachusetts. On Tuesday, May 4th, she will return to life as a 
private citizen, leaving behind a sterling example of civic commitment 
and selfless devotion to one's hometown.
  Mary Rose's tenure both as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as 
Chairman is unsurpassed in a community widely known for its rich and 
vibrant political culture. Her public service is remarkable not only 
for its longevity and distinction as the town's first and only female 
selectmen but for its impressive record of achievement as well.
  After nearly two decades, there is scarcely a local issue or major 
municipal project in the Town of Clinton that has not benefitted from 
the strong, steady and forceful advocacy of Mary Rose Dickhaut. She led 
the town in its historic battle against the Massachusetts Water 
Resources Authority to enforce a century old agreement to provide 
drinking water to the citizens of Clinton. She championed the 
restoration of the community's Town Hall, the revitalization of its 
downtown and the expansion of its police station. Long before it was 
fashionable to do so, Mary Rose urged the town to invest in its rapidly 
deteriorating water and sewer infrastructure. In 1999 and 2000, she 
cochaired the town's 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee which 
planned, among many other memorable events, the first Olde Home Days 
Festival in Central Park that has since grown to become a popular 
annual attraction for families from all over Central Massachusetts.
  Mr. Speaker, while these very public accomplishments have placed Mary 
Rose's indelible handprint on the Town of Clinton, they do not begin to 
fully describe the tremendous contributions and sacrifices she has made 
on its behalf. As we know, many of the good deeds performed by elected 
officials go unnoticed and unrecorded. For 18 years, Mary Rose has 
graciously taken the nightly phone calls at home, politely endured the 
interrupted trips to the grocery store and faithfully attended the 
countless committee meetings and public hearings. She has endeavored 
whenever possible to help those who sought her capable assistance and 
to better her community for future generations to enjoy. Through it 
all, she has maintained a well-deserved reputation for honesty and 
integrity and earned the respect of her colleagues for her keen 
intellect, diligent work ethic and an unfailing fidelity to the town's 
best interests.
  Mr. Speaker, the Town of Clinton, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
and the United States of America owe Mary Rose Dickhaut a debt of 
gratitude for her years of dedicated service. Accordingly, I 
respectfully request that this esteemed body convey its heartfelt 
appreciation to Mary Rose for her efforts and our best wishes for a 
happy, healthy and enjoyable retirement from public life.
  Madam Chairman, you have earned it.

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