[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 168 (Thursday, November 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2297-E2298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE 86TH BIRTHDAY OF FORMER GOVERNOR WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 1, 2007

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of the 
most dynamic and important figures in Maryland's history as he prepares 
to celebrate yet another milestone in a life full of them.
  Tomorrow (November 2), William Donald Schaefer, the former Governor 
and Comptroller of the State of Maryland, former Mayor of Baltimore, 
and distinguished public servant will celebrate his 86th birthday. I 
urge all of my colleagues to join with me in saluting Governor Schaefer 
on this momentous occasion.
  Throughout his 86 years--nearly 50 of which were spent in public 
office--William Donald Schaefer has been driven by a burning desire to 
improve the lives of his fellow citizens. I am confident that this was 
instilled in him at a young age by his parents, William and Tululu.
  Following his service in the U.S. Army during World War II, Schaefer 
returned to his beloved Baltimore and embarked on what was to become 
one of the most successful political careers Maryland has ever 
witnessed.
  In 1955, Governor Schaefer first entered public office when he was 
elected to the Baltimore City Council from the city's 5th District. He 
served on the council for 16 years, including four years as its 
president. During his term as President of the City Council, Schaefer 
was a steadying force during turbulent times, helping direct the 
National Guard in quelling the riots following the assassination of the 
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  In 1971, Schaefer was elected as Mayor of the City of Baltimore, 
succeeding Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro III, brother of the current Speaker 
of the House, Nancy Pelosi. Schaefer was subsequently re-elected three 
times, never receiving less than 85 percent of the vote.
  Schaefer's dedication to his hometown was unmatched then, as it is 
now. He served as something of a ``Motivator in Chief,'' reigniting a 
sense of pride in the city's residents. His philosophy was simple--``Do 
It Now''--cut through the red tape and provide citizens with the basic 
services they expect: clean neighborhoods, filled potholes, and plowed 
streets.
  His accomplishments as mayor are many and have had a long and lasting 
impact on the city. He led the redevelopment of Baltimore's Inner 
Harbor, including the building of the National Aquarium, helping to 
transform the Harbor into a city center and establishing Baltimore as a 
significant tourist destination. He oversaw the construction of the 
Baltimore City Convention Center and the establishment of a subway 
system in the city. It is not hard to understand why he was repeatedly 
named the ``Best Mayor in America.''

  In 1986, Schaefer demonstrated a commitment to the entire state when 
he decided to run to become the 58th Governor of Maryland. He was 
elected by a landslide and was reelected by a wide margin four years 
later.
  As governor, he worked to improve Maryland's public education system, 
established the Maryland Department of the Environment, made headway in 
the efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay, improve transportation 
infrastructure, including the establishment of the MTA's Light Rail 
Line. He also led the push to establish Oriole Park at Camden Yards and 
laid the groundwork for what became M&T Bank Stadium, home of the 
Baltimore Ravens.
  When forced by term-limits to retire as governor, newspapers and 
citizens alike heralded the end of the so-called Schaefer era. But, 
much to our good fortune, it was not to be. The desire to serve was too 
strong.
  Energetic and as enthusiastic as ever about helping the people of his 
state, William Donald Schaefer came out of a well deserved retirement 
in 1998, to be elected as the 32nd Comptroller of the State of 
Maryland, a position to which he was overwhelmingly reelected in 2002.
  Governor Schaefer has now embarked on his second retirement, but we 
all know that such a man can never truly retire. He cares too much for 
his fellow Marylanders and continues to serve as an inspiration to all 
of us for his continued commitment to service.
  I think the Baltimore Sun captured it best at the conclusion of his 
second term as governor. The final paragraph of the paper's editorial 
reads:
  ``Mr. Schaefer is no shrinking violet. His larger-than-life 
personality can be alternately endearing and enraging. But he cares 
deeply about people. That's the bottom line for him. Helping people. 
You couldn't ask for more from a public servant.''
  No you couldn't.

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