[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 10 (Wednesday, February 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E48]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING SHIRLEY LYNNE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2006

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Shirley 
Lynne and reflect on her many wonderful contributions to our community. 
This is a time of great sadness, made even sadder by the suddenness of 
Shirley's passing. There was no time to say our goodbyes. It is a time 
of great loss for our community because Shirley was always in the 
middle of so much that went on--especially in her Wheaton community. 
She would always know exactly what was happening in Wheaton, whether it 
was the Wheaton Metro development, something happening at Wheaton 
Mall--Westfields that is--or any other happenings in the community. If 
you wanted to find out what was going on in Wheaton, Shirley was always 
in the know. These days many people live side-by-side without ever 
really getting to know their neighbors. Not Shirley. She knew so much 
that some of us suspected she had tapped into everybody's telephones.
  In fact, Shirley got to know her neighbors the old fashioned way--by 
knocking on their doors and introducing herself. She got to know many 
of them in her capacity as the Democratic precinct captain. Shirley 
always had the courage of her convictions. While she was small in 
height, she had a huge heart and a feisty nature. She never shied away 
from a tough issue. She always stood up for the underdog and believed 
deeply in the values and principles of the Democratic Party. Her 
neighbors mostly followed her lead and she always delivered her 
precinct for Democratic candidates.
  I will always be grateful to Shirley for her support in my 
Congressional election. She took me door-to-door throughout her 
precinct and introduced me to her friends and neighbors. She also 
charmed and cajoled many of them into putting up ``Van Hollen'' lawn 
signs. They might have said ``no'' to me, but no one dared say ``no'' 
to Shirley Lynne. Needless to say, we won her precinct. Thank you, 
Shirley.
  Shirley was also deeply committed to helping individuals with mental 
illnesses. She spent countless hours helping out at the Thrift Shop on 
Rockville Pike to benefit the Alliance for the Mentally III. She never 
asked for anything in return for all that she did to help that 
important cause or for the other good works she did for our community.
  The health of this great democracy of ours depends on people of good 
will joining together to build a better future for our community. That 
was what Shirley Lynne was all about. She did not sit out life on the 
sidelines. She made a difference through the many lives she touched and 
the legacy of a stronger and more caring community that she helped to 
nourish. We need many more Shirley Lynnes.
  To Shirley's family, let me say that you are in our hearts and 
prayers. I especially want to say to Diane, what a wonderful daughter 
you have been to Shirley. You were best friends and inseparable. I know 
that you were--and you remain--her greatest joy. Please know that we 
all share your grief at this painful time, but that we also share your 
great pride in your mother's many accomplishments.

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