[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 126 (Thursday, October 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DOROTHY HUGHES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 6, 2004

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dorothy Hughes, who 
died on July 26 at the age of 80. An activist in Marin County, 
California, for 35 years, Dorothy was a leader who cared deeply about 
her community and the people who live in it.
  Born in Woodland, California, in 1923 on her parents' sheep ranch, 
she married Dr. Robert Leake with whom she had eight children. She 
attended Hamlin School in San Francisco, Stanford University, and, 
after her divorce, California State University in Sacramento, where she 
earned a master's degree. She moved to Marin in 1969.
  Best known for her work on behalf of mental health programs, Dorothy 
was director of the Marin Association for Mental Health for two decades 
and was instrumental in the development of a mental health community 
care system. She also had a passion for children and youth, peace, 
human rights, and a goal of creating a caring world. She was a founder 
of, or active in, Community Action Marin, Fairfax-San Anselmo 
Children's Center, Marin Suicide Prevention Center, Buckelew Houses, 
Marin Family Action, Isoji, the Marin Peace and Justice Coalition, and 
the Campaign for a Healthier Community for Children.
  Dorothy advocated both behind the scenes through lobbying and through 
community organizing. She was tireless in promoting the causes that 
will make our world a better place for all people, inspiring others 
with her conviction and forcefulness as well as her warmth. Her goal 
was nothing less than ``a world that works for all of us.''
  When inducted into the Marin Women's Hall of Fame in 1991, Dorothy 
stated that it was her dream that one day there would be a progressive 
national policy on children and families. That is the same dream that 
inspires me to introduce legislation addressing the well-being of our 
nation's family and children . . . knowing that our future depends on 
them.
  Dorothy is survived by her eight children, 17 grandchildren, and 
eight great-grandchildren, as well as her sister and her niece. She was 
very devoted to her family and had moved to Sacramento last November to 
be near them.
  Mr. Speaker, Dorothy Hughes liked to call herself ``an old radical,'' 
and I can think of no higher tribute. She was a radical in the best 
sense, one who fought for all those in society who can't fight for 
themselves and who believed that creating a better world through our 
children was both necessary and possible. I join the many people who 
will miss Dorothy Hughes' friendship and bright spirit.

                          ____________________