[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 28, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S7031]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO BAILEY FINE

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and give thanks 
to my State director, Bailey Fine, who is retiring at the end of the 
112th Congress after 27 years of devoted service. There is great 
sadness but deep appreciation as I say goodbye to Bailey who, in 1982, 
ran my reelection campaign to the Maryland House of Delegates; then 
served as my campaign aide during my first congressional race in 1986; 
as my district director for 20 years; and, finally, as my State 
director during my first term in the Senate.
  Over the years, Bailey has been a friend to my entire family, a 
trusted confidant, a reliable sounding board for my legislative 
district and statewide agendas. For more than three decades I have been 
truly fortunate to have her at my side, providing knowledgeable advice 
and a commonsense approach to the many issues that face Members of the 
House and Senate.
  Bailey is a people person who understands how our work in Washington 
affects the everyday lives of Marylanders, and she regularly reminds my 
staff and me of that fact. Bailey's knowledge of Baltimore and of 
Maryland is unparalleled. She grew up in Northern Virginia but settled 
in Baltimore in 1970 where she worked first for the Housing 
Commissioner and later for the late Mayor William Donald Schaeffer.
  During her years handling special projects for the mayor, Bailey 
developed a deep love for Baltimore City and a true understanding of 
how Baltimore works. Bailey became a creative genius at promoting and 
highlighting the many achievements of the city under Mayor Schaeffer. 
Before Mayor Schaeffer left city hall, he nominated Bailey to serve as 
president of the Baltimore City school board. In that role, she helped 
parents navigate the school bureaucracy, suggested workable solutions 
for teachers, and brought a commonsense approach to the Baltimore City 
school system.
  But Bailey's knowledge and expertise goes beyond how government 
works. She has her pulse on Baltimore and on Maryland. She knows the 
key players in the city and the State, many of them on a personal 
level. For many years Bailey has been the go-to person when people need 
to get things done.
  Without a doubt, Bailey has been an invaluable resource to my entire 
staff, to me, and to the people of Maryland. But she is also a tireless 
advocate and a voice for families and individuals who may not have had 
the understanding or resources to access the services they need. 
Whether it is working with the mayor of Oakland when spring floods 
threatened a dam near the town, getting housing and other services for 
a veteran, or working with community groups to improve their schools, 
Bailey is a relentless public servant. There is also no denying that 
her energy and enthusiasm are unstoppable and unsurpassed and that her 
retirement will leave a real void.
  Through her efforts, so many people have been connected to jobs, 
affordable housing, quality health care, or government benefits. So 
many of these people have benefited from her advocacy, their lives 
changed for the better, and most of them will never know her name. To 
me, that is the highest form of public service.
  I ask my Senate colleagues to recognize the many contributions that 
Bailey has made and the example she has set for public service. I also 
want to take this opportunity to thank Bailey's family, her husband 
Stanley, and her children Michael and Laura, for their support and 
understanding as Bailey has worked to help others.
  Today is Bailey and Stanley's 41st wedding anniversary, and on 
December 8 Laura will be married. Please join me in wishing Bailey Fine 
a healthy and happy retirement and well-deserved time with her family.

                          ____________________