[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 26 (Tuesday, March 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MARY McCLYMONT OF INTERACTION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 8, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me today in 
paying tribute to Ms. Mary E. McClymont, the current President and CEO 
of InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based, international 
development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. 
InterAction's members range from large organizations like CARE, Save 
the Children, Catholic Relief Services, and World Vision, to smaller 
organizations such as the International Medical Corps which is based in 
my own home state of California.
  After four years of tireless service to the humanitarian community, 
Mary is relinquishing the helm of InterAction. She will be deeply 
missed not only by the many NGOs that InterAction serves but also by 
many of us in Congress who have come to rely on her and InterAction as 
advocates of humanitarian, human rights, and development concerns. Her 
knowledge, commitment, and professionalism have established InterAction 
as a leading resource of information and expertise on a myriad of 
issues ranging from Iraq and Afghanistan to the Millennium Challenge 
Account.
  InterAction also has grown tremendously under Mary's leadership, 
nearly doubling its operating budget and expanding its membership. 
Additionally, Mary launched the Global Partnership for Effective 
Assistance--a multiyear advocacy campaign to help save lives and build 
self-sufficiency in poor countries by increasing the amount of 
development and humanitarian assistance, improving the effectiveness of 
foreign aid, and fostering international partnerships.
  Leading an organization as large and diverse as InterAction during 
these tumultuous times requires an individual of tremendous fortitude, 
integrity, and dedication. Mary undoubtedly has excelled in meeting 
that challenge.
  Mr. Speaker, it has been a great pleasure for me and the Democratic 
staff of the International Relations Committee to work closely on a 
wide range of issues with InterAction and with Mary. I want to commend 
her for her outstanding service and commitment to improving the 
effectiveness of our nation's humanitarian and development assistance. 
And I want to extend our best wishes to her as she leaves the 
presidency of InterAction.

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