[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 44 (Wednesday, March 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING AUBURN, MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE AWARD 
                               RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 14, 2007

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to three 
outstanding citizens from the Town of Auburn, MA, a community I am both 
privileged and proud to represent in the U.S. Congress. Tonight the 
Auburn Democratic Town Committee will rightfully recognize Patricia 
Bukoski with its FDR Outstanding Public Service Award, and Charles and 
Joan Baker with its Democratic Lifetime Achievement Award at their 
annual Irish Night Dinner. I regret that rollcall votes prevent me from 
attending the event to personally congratulate them for their 
remarkable contributions to the greater Auburn community.
  Pat Bukoski is synonymous with the Auburn Housing Authority having 
directed the agency for fully 28 years. During her tenure, the Auburn 
Housing Authority received more than $4 million in Federal funding for 
the construction of the 60-unit Stoneville Heights Development. Pat 
also presided over the expansion of the Packachoag Village Development 
and courageously shepherded the Pheasant Court Family Housing Project 
to its completion. Her constant care and compassion for Auburn's 
elderly and less fortunate is renowned. A woman of extraordinary faith, 
Pat's legacy of public service is nothing short of inspiring and serves 
as a sterling example of what one person can accomplish on behalf of 
others.
  Charlie and Joan Baker are among the most devoted democratic 
activists the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has ever produced. Their 
tireless efforts on behalf of dozens of democratic candidates for 
local, State and national office now span more than half a century. I 
have personally benefited from their wise counsel and steadfast support 
and will forever be grateful for their loyalty. Few couples can lay 
claim to having helped elect as many leaders as Charlie and Joan Baker. 
The only reward they have ever sought was the quiet pride and 
satisfaction of having supported good and decent people for public 
office. Charlie and Joan's political activism is rivaled only by their 
combined record of service to the Town of Auburn. Charlie's tenure as a 
town meeting member, selectmen and now Town Moderator is without equal. 
Joan also served as a town meeting member and together they are widely 
regarded by many as the ``first couple'' of Auburn.
  Madam Speaker, Patricia Bukoski, Charlie Baker, and Joan Baker are 
richly deserving of the recognition bestowed upon them tonight by the 
Auburn Democratic Town Committee. The United States of America owes 
each of them a debt of gratitude for their service and I humbly offer 
the congratulations of the U.S. House of Representatives to them on 
this very special occasion.

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