[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 15, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S4936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING ROBERT LITTLE EBERT

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to Robert Little Ebert, a respected and inspiring 
Maryland community leader and philanthropist who passed away at age 93 
on May 9, 2010.
  Mr. Ebert served as Allegany County commissioner from 1962 to 1970, 
and he continued to dedicate himself to the progress and prosperity of 
the area throughout his lifetime. Mr. Ebert was especially dedicated to 
eradicating poverty throughout his community, and he demonstrated a 
consistent willingness to help people through his involvement in 
various philanthropic and community organizations.
  Mr. Ebert was born in Parkersburg, WV in 1916, and attended Marietta 
College in Ohio, graduating in 1938. He later worked as a radio 
newscaster in the Midwest and served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy 
during World War II. Following the war, Mr. Ebert moved to Cumberland, 
MD, to join his mother in the S.T. Little Jewelry Company, a family 
business founded by his great-grandfather in 1851. Mr. Ebert eventually 
became president and general manager of the company, and he devoted 
himself to the development and success of his business's locale in 
downtown Cumberland.
  Mr. Ebert's leadership and business acumen helped shape downtown 
Cumberland. He served as chairman of the Downtown Cumberland Business 
Association and the Downtown Development Commission. He served as 
chairman of the Board of the Allegany County Department of Social 
Services and as chairman of the Allegany County Chapter of the American 
Red Cross and was involved with civic organizations such as the 
Cumberland Cultural Foundation and the Cumberland Rotary Club.
  While Mr. Ebert often wished for his charitable contributions to 
remain anonymous and tried to stay behind-the-scenes, his philanthropic 
endeavors eventually inspired him to become the founding donor of the 
Community Trust Foundation. The Community Trust Foundation, established 
in 2006, serves Maryland's Allegany and Garrett Counties as well as 
West Virginia's Mineral County by providing the administrative 
services, sophisticated investment management, professional advice, and 
stewardship that help communities maximize their charitable giving and 
investing.
  The Community Trust Foundation served as a stepping stone for Mr. 
Ebert to establish the Elta Mae and Robert Little Ebert Family Hope 
Fund. The Family Hope Fund is a leader in fostering cooperation and 
collaboration among the area's many philanthropic organizations that 
work to prevent poverty. The fund has made, and will continue to make, 
enormous achievements thanks to Mr. Ebert's leadership and dedication.
  Mr. Ebert was immensely successful professionally, and he was also a 
loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He leaves 
behind three daughters, five granddaughters, and four great-
grandchildren as well as countless friends and admirers.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the many 
accomplishments of Mr. Robert Little Ebert and in recognizing him as a 
truly inspiring community leader and humanitarian.

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