[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7516-S7517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Daschle, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

                     IN HONOR OF STEPHEN E. COLLINS

 Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I am proud to join family, 
friends, and colleagues in recognizing and celebrating the incredible 
life and dedicated work of Steve Collins. His tireless efforts on 
behalf of our disadvantaged citizens have greatly benefited the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and his fighting spirit is an inspiration 
to us all.
  Steve began his career as an advocate for the importance of human 
services over 25 years ago, and has continued his passion for helping 
others ever since. His career history includes work at a mental health 
center for youth, supervision of the Uphams Corner Health Center in 
Dorchester, case management at Minuteman Home Care, and direction of 
the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Massachusetts. Steve's most 
sweeping impact, however, has come through his work with the 
Massachusetts Human Services Coalition, where, after years of 
participation in the Coalition's efforts, he became Executive Director 
in 1999.
  Steve comes from a family committed to working for the public good. 
He is the son of a high school teacher and a newspaper editor, and it 
was his father who from early on taught him to ``comfort the afflicted 
and afflict the comfortable.'' Taking this motto to heart, Steve has, 
for many years, been a voice for the voiceless citizens of 
Massachusetts by monitoring State policy and budgets and advocating for 
the vital services that aid the disadvantaged. With unwavering 
devotion, Steve has embraced his role as David to the sometimes Goliath 
government bureaucracy, and he has continually won tangible results.
  Armed with an amazing ability to inject humor into his noble 
struggles, Steve calls upon governors and legislators to look more 
critically at the effects of their policies with events like

[[Page S7517]]

the `` `State of the State We're Really In' Bake Sale.'' And while his 
criticisms are direct and his position unflinching, Steve has earned 
the respect of legislators and officials alike. He never compromises 
his vision and always works around-the-clock to mobilize support for 
the protection of human services.
  Steve manages to forever remind us all that every citizen deserves 
respect, and with that recognition of human dignity comes the 
obligation to assist those in need. He serves as a voice for the most 
vulnerable in our society, and the utter importance of his life's work 
cannot be overstated.
  There is no more noble goal than to serve others. Steve remains a 
loyal friend to those in need of his help, and he has never backed down 
from the challenge of defending them. I am honored by his ceaseless 
efforts and it is with respect and gratitude that I join in celebrating 
Steve's life, work, and innumerable contributions.

                          ____________________