[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 144 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING PAM HILLERY

 Mr. TESTER. Mr. President, I wish to honor the life of my 
close friend, Pam Hillery.
  On Wednesday, September 14, 2016, Pam passed away, surrounded by her 
loving family, but leaving behind an unforgettable and inspiring life 
story. Her legacy is one of tremendous political activism and civic 
involvement, and it will endure throughout the Treasure State.
  Pam, who suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS, or Lou 
Gehrig's disease, never let her diagnosis prevent her from lending a 
helping hand to the community or working tirelessly to improve the 
lives of those around her. She immersed herself in community service.
  Born in Mechanicsburg, PA, in July 1960, Pam graduated high school in 
Germany in 1978--where her father was stationed with the U.S. 
Department of Defense--and attended college at the College of William 
and Mary, eventually gaining her master's degree in environmental 
studies at the University of Montana. It was there that she met her 
future husband, Paul. They married in 1989.
  In every town or city where they lived, Pam gave back to the 
community. In Helena, she volunteered for the Solid Waste Task Force, 
CASA, St. Helena Cathedral, and won a seat on the Helena Citizens 
Council, in addition to cofounding Trash for Trees.
  In Havre, where she and Paul moved in 2000, she volunteered for St. 
Jude's Catholic Church, the Boys and Girls Club of the Hi-Line, Havre 
Elementary PTO, Havre-Hill County Crimestoppers, and the Hi-Line/
Northern Showcase Concert Association. She served two terms on the city 
council and launched a run for mayor. Even after being diagnosed with 
ALS, she remained undaunted. Pam was appointed to a 1-year term on the 
city council after a council member resigned, but this was not simply a 
caretaker appointment. Pam was no placeholder. She immediately went 
into action and launched a sweeping plan to fix the city's decaying 
streets. After leaving office, Pam was concerned the council was 
dragging its feet, so she showed up at a meeting. Unable to speak, she 
had her husband, Paul, read a letter urging prompt action. Still 
frustrated, she followed up with a letter to the editor.
  That was Pam. She never gave up. Pam loved Havre and gave 100 percent 
of herself to make her community and her State a better place.
  Pam is survived by her husband, Paul, their two children Dolan and 
Caroline, her five siblings, several nieces and nephews, and one great-
nephew. I know that they are grieving, but I hope they find some 
comfort in the fact that Pam will be remembered by a grateful community 
that is better off for having been graced with her enduring and 
cheerful spirit.

                          ____________________