[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING MARY BABULA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK POCAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mary Babula from 
Madison, Wisconsin who passed away at the end of last year. Mary 
dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of children and 
teachers in her community. While her presence in our district is sorely 
missed, her legacy lives on in our community.
  Mary Babula began her career in early childhood care as a volunteer 
at Christian Day Care Center in Madison while earning her Bachelor of 
Arts in Social Work at University of Wisconsin-Madison. After 
graduating, she became a teacher at the Christian Day Care Center and 
was later named its third Executive Director. Mary also served as 
Director of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA), where she 
tirelessly devoted her time advancing positive policy changes for 
children by focusing on the needs of the professionals who provided 
child care for Wisconsin's families.
  Under Mary's leadership, WECA established the Wisconsin Child Care 
Improvement Project, which launched Child Care Resource and Referral 
agencies statewide. Throughout her time as director, Mary helped 
develop and refine multiple programs, including TEACH, REWARD, 
YoungStar Conference and Training, and the Food Program, which continue 
to provide support services to child care centers around the state. In 
her spare time, Mary was also a relentless advocate for the rights of 
children and early child care professionals at the local, state, and 
federal level.
  Mary's lifetime commitment to our community and her work as an 
activist has been invaluable to Wisconsin. Her legacy will live on 
through the services Wisconsin provides to its children and families.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize Ms. Mary Babula 
today.

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