[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 134 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MARY BOURDETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 20, 2005

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, 
Mary Bourdette, a great champion for America's children and families 
took a leave from her job advocating for parents, and it is important 
that we take the time to mark her extraordinary career. In her 30 year 
career, Mary has been an ever-present voice and an unyielding force, 
reminding everyone around her that we must do much more for children--
especially for the most disadvantaged children in our country.
  I first met Mary back in California when she was working on improving 
education in the state. My wife Cynthia and I have long valued Mary for 
her friendship as well as for her passion for her work. Mary and I 
worked closely together when I chaired the Select Committee on 
Children, Youth and Families in the 1980's. She is a skilled lobbyist 
and negotiator and her vision and persistence were critical to my 
efforts on child welfare policy in addition to numerous other issues.
  One of the reasons Mary is so effective in fighting for children is 
that she is an idealistic pragmatist. She would always fight to the end 
for what she knew was right. But she was just as committed to getting 
the different sides together and fostering communication--particularly 
when the situation was at its most polarized.
  Mary advocated for children and families in many capacities here in 
Washington, DC over the past 30 years. She first fought for the Legal 
Services Corp. to help ensure that our poorest citizens have access to 
the legal system that our Constitution promises. She later worked 
tirelessly at the Children Defense Fund on the first major expansion of 
the Earned Income Credit and the original enactment of Child Care and 
Development Block Grant--programs that have made an enormous difference 
for America's poorest families. Her work with the Child Welfare League 
of America as Director of Public Policy also proved vital for the well-
being of America's children and families. And her 8 years with the 
Clinton Administration allowed Mary to play a central and critical role 
in the many federal policies that affect children.
  So I commend Mary for her impressive career and thank her both for 
the assistance she has provided to me over the years and on behalf of 
the millions of children who have benefited from her intelligence and 
passion.

                          ____________________