[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E589-E590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MARY NELL PORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENNY C. HULSHOF

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. HULSHOF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a Missourian 
who has devoted countless hours promoting the arts in my hometown of 
Columbia, Missouri. She is in every sense a true Renaissance woman. Mr. 
Speaker, I am referring to Mary Nell Porter.
  After graduating from Chillicothe Business College, Mary Nell moved 
to Washington, D.C. to support her country in the effort that yielded 
victory in World War II. It was during this time

[[Page E590]]

that Mary Nell began what would become a lifetime commitment to 
volunteerism. Her unwavering support for fellow Americans is reflected 
in her activities that included volunteering her time at recruiting 
stations and at Cardinal Spellman's Foundling Home in New York.
  At the end of World War II, she moved to New York City, where she 
defied the limits that hindered the progress of women in the workforce. 
By rising to positions of authority and respect in prominent companies 
such as American Cynamid and Alexander's Department Store, Mary Nell 
served as an inspiration to countless women who made the decision to 
pursue a professional career.
  Upon her return to Missouri, Mary Nell continued her pursuit of 
knowledge and graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a 
degree in Business Administration. Since that time, she has focused her 
efforts on a passion for music and joined the Women's Symphony League, 
Friends of Music of the University of Missouri, the University of 
Missouri's Arts & Sciences Alum Association Board and later served on 
the Missouri Symphony Society Board of Directors.
  Mary Nell's time, energy and generous spirit have been invaluable to 
the Missouri Symphony Society as well as the Missouri Theatre. She has 
been critical in the creation of a thriving arts community in my 
hometown of Columbia. I am eternally grateful for her devotion to our 
community, and it is my pleasure to share Mary Nell Porter's 
accomplishment and valuable contributions with my colleagues.

                          ____________________