[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 170 (Monday, November 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER ON HIS 86TH BIRTHDAY

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                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 5, 2007

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to extend birthday 
greetings to one of Maryland's most famous sons and elected officials.
  Mr. William D. Schaefer turns 86 today. He was born and raised in 
Baltimore, dedicating his life to public service.
  After graduating from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 
1942, he joined the U.S. Army and served in World War II. He remained 
in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1979 when he retired with the rank of 
colonel.
  Although he was unsuccessful in his first two bids for public office, 
``Donald'' Schaefer, as he was fondly known, did not give up.
  In 1955, he earned a seat on the Baltimore City Council; and in 1967, 
he was elected city council president. From that point onward, his 
career continued to soar.
  In 1971, Donald Schaefer ran successfully for the mayor's office, a 
position to which he would dedicate himself until 1986. During his 
tenure, he was known for his attention to detail, taking notes of 
strewn garbage and other violations as he rode around town and ordering 
them to be fixed immediately.
  There is also a famous photograph that shows him dressed in an old-
fashioned striped bathing suit, ready to dive into the dolphin pool at 
the then-new National Aquarium in Baltimore to settle a wager that it 
would not be opened in time.
  In 1986, Donald Schaefer was overwhelmingly elected Maryland's 58th 
governor with 82 percent of the vote, the largest percentage total ever 
for a contested statewide election. He was re-elected to a second term 
in 1990.
  His legacy includes Oriole Park at Camden Yards, M&T Bank Stadium, 
stricter measures against pollution, and higher standards for public 
schools. He also pushed for the Light Rail Line of electric-powered 
trains that runs 30 miles through the central corridor of Maryland.
  In 1998, Donald Schaefer returned to public office, winning the 
position of Comptroller of Maryland by a substantial margin, 62 percent 
to 38 percent. In 2002, he won re-election to that post, receiving 
almost 68 percent of the vote.
  William D. Schaefer is revered in Baltimore City and the State of 
Maryland. Throughout more than 50 years of public service, he has been 
tenacious, colorful and visionary. It is with great pleasure that I 
wish him the best on his 86th birthday.

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