[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF MAUREEN RUSSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 19, 2016

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Maureen Russell 
on her retirement after twenty-seven years of outstanding public 
service as a Victim Witness Advocate at the Norfolk District Attorney's 
Office.
  Maureen launched her extraordinary career in the Special Victims 
Unit, where she worked with severely traumatized victims of sexual 
abuse and assault. Through her strength of character and compassion, 
she provided victims and their families the tools necessary to navigate 
the complexities of the state court system, assist in prosecuting 
offenders, and, ultimately, begin to rebuild their lives.
  Maureen has most recently been serving her community as a Superior 
Court Advocate in the Norfolk Superior Court, where she advocates for 
families of victims of homicide and other serious crimes. Among 
numerous other families supported by Maureen is that of Joanna Mullin, 
a six-year-old tragically murdered by her cousin. As she has so often 
done, Maureen went above and beyond the call of duty in her advocacy 
for the Mullins, steadfastly supporting the family as they traversed 
the arduous criminal justice process. Having assisted the Mullins 
family through the aftermath of their tragedy and the processes of the 
court, she continues maintains a strong relationship with the family to 
this day. It is this dedication and passion that is exemplary of 
quality victim advocacy.
  Throughout her years of service, Maureen has never strayed from her 
commitment to providing each and every victim in her community the 
attention and care they deserve. Her experience in the criminal justice 
system and her professional and personal relationships with 
prosecutors, colleagues, law enforcement officers, and other 
professionals has allowed Maureen to smooth an otherwise turbulent, 
uncertain, and difficult process for victims and their families. Our 
community is deeply grateful to Maureen for having been a person to 
trust and a shoulder to lean on during these victims' most difficult 
times.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise in honor of Maureen Russell, who 
embodies all of the best qualities of a Victim Advocate. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this distinguished public servant 
and in wishing her the best of luck in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________