[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E697-E698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MRS. MARY ELLEN MENDELSOHN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CAROLYN McCARTHY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2009

  Mrs. McCARTHY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor my friend and colleague, Mrs. Mary Ellen Mendelsohn, upon her 
retirement from the Federal Government. Public service is one of the 
most honorable and important professions an individual can choose. Mrs. 
Mendelsohn is at the top of her profession, working on campaigns and in 
government offices for more than 25 years.
  Mrs. Mendelsohn earned her degree at Boston University and later went 
on to become District Director to former US Congressman Robert Mrazek. 
She later worked as Mr. Mrazek's Deputy Campaign Director during his 
bid for the United States Senate.
  Mrs. Mendelsohn later became the President, MC Communications, a 
Public Relations and Intergovernmental Affairs Firm, assisting clients 
like the Town of Huntington, Child Abuse Prevention Services of Long 
Island, Housing All Americans, and the Columbia University Department 
of Oral History obtain grants from the public and private sector. All 
the while, she simultaneously and effectively managed campaigns for 
Hynes for New York State Attorney General and raised funds for New York 
State Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli.
  After successfully assisting Brooklyn DA Charles J. Hynes, Mrs. 
Mendelsohn was appointed the Director, Government and Community 
Affairs, Office of the District Attorney, Kings County, New York. She 
remained in this

[[Page E698]]

position until deciding to move on to private consulting for such 
clients as Cancer Cured Kids, John Bryant for Senate, Coalition for 
Peoples Choice and last but not least a Campaign Consultant for 
``McCarthy for Congress.''
  Mary Ellen came to work for me and the US House of Representatives as 
my District Director and Political Advisor in January 1997. I came to 
depend on Mary Ellen's breadth of knowledge to brief me and my 
Washington Staff on issues that directly affect my district. Her 
reputation has surpassed the confines of the Long Island office. My 
staff and I enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Mary Ellen, who is a 
pleasure and a delight to work with.
  You only have to meet Mary Ellen once to realize that she is smart, 
funny and above all else, genuine. She is a daughter, sister, wife, 
mother, grandmother and friend. She is the best kind of friend. She 
laughs at your jokes, sings and dances spontaneously, listens to your 
tales of glee or woe with the same intensity. She helps you feel strong 
when you feel weak and found when you feel lost. She is the friend 
everyone should have. We are blessed.
  Madam Speaker it is with great admiration, pride and respect that I 
acknowledge and thank Mary Ellen for her work in public service and 
friendship.

                          ____________________