[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 96 (Monday, July 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1019]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MRS. MARY L. HARVEY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2013

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to recognize 
Mrs. Mary L. Harvey--who devoted her long career in Baltimore County 
government to preserving and improving communities--on the occasion of 
the posthumous dedication of the ``CenterPiece Family Arts Center'' in 
her name.
  A lifelong resident of Perry Hall, Mrs. Harvey graduated from Perry 
Hall High School in 1976 and from the Community College of Baltimore 
County in Dundalk in 1986. She became active in eastern Baltimore 
County politics and worked as a legislative aide to the Baltimore 
County Council for eight years.
  After witnessing first-hand her tireless drive and passion for 
helping people, I appointed Mrs. Harvey to the position of Eastern 
Sector Coordinator within the Office of Community Conservation during 
my tenure as Baltimore County Executive. Her excellent work twice 
earned her promotions: first, as manager of revitalization efforts and 
then director of the office. Mrs. Harvey was reappointed to the 
position and retained it until 2010.
  Mrs. Harvey was a true visionary. Under her leadership, Baltimore 
County embraced the concept of the ``Urban Design Assistance Team,'' 
which encourages input from community members. She also oversaw the 
construction of three new community centers and developed partnerships 
with local businesses that lead to safer affordable living communities 
for thousands of county residents. Her constant goal was to create 
neighborhoods that were vibrant, attractive and family-friendly. She 
had a special compassion for the homeless and coordinated a 10-year 
plan to eradicate it in Baltimore County.
  Mrs. Harvey's accolades were many. She was the Baltimore County 
Commission for Women's ``Woman of the Year'' in 1995 and received the 
``Renaissance Milestone Award'' from the Dundalk Renaissance 
Corporation in 2010. She served on the boards of the Essex Community 
College Foundation, the Essex-Middle River-White Marsh Chamber of 
Commerce and the Family Crisis Center of Baltimore County.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Mrs. Mary L. 
Harvey, whose legacy of service to the families of Baltimore County 
continues today. I have many happy memories of working with Mrs. Harvey 
and wish to thank her family for their support during her years in 
county government. I could not think of a more appropriate or well-
deserved namesake for this beautiful new facility in one of Mrs. 
Harvey's favorite communities.

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