[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 121 (Thursday, July 18, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7135-H7136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING BETSY BOSSART FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE

  (Mr. HOYER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, all of us who serve in this House are 
deeply indebted to our hardworking staff who enable us to serve our 
constituents and meet the rigorous demands of this job.
  In particular, all of us are grateful for our district directors, as 
we are for all of our staff. But our district directors are ``us'' for 
so many instances, for so many constituents, and for so many different 
events.
  They represent us when we cannot be there, when we are here in 
Washington. They are our eyes and ears on the ground when we are here. 
They are the angels on our shoulders who remind us that everything we 
do on a national level needs to benefit our constituents back home.
  For the past 30 years, I have been blessed--the Fifth Congressional 
District has been blessed--to be a colleague of Betsy Bossart.
  I love Betsy Bossart, and my constituents love Betsy Bossart.
  Before she served as my district director, she was my administrative 
assistant, the jack of all trades who made sure my office ran smoothly, 
and served as one of my chief advisers.
  Betsy joined my staff on March 3, 1989, 30 years ago, and until she 
retired--sadly, from my perspective--last month, she served me, the 
people of the Fifth District, and our country every day.
  With her departure, my office--and, indeed, this House--is diminished 
by the end of her extraordinary service.
  Betsy gave her time and energy selflessly for the people of the Fifth 
District, working many, many late nights, many weekends, and long days.
  She has taken meetings with every organization and visited nearly 
every school and medical facility and government office in the counties 
I represent.
  Betsy Bossart has been so successful as my district director because 
she is an excellent listener and has a deep wellspring of empathy for 
people.
  She has been a role model, Madam Speaker, for others on my staff and 
a champion, an advocate for young people coming into public service and 
waiting to make differences in their communities and in their country.
  She has been an unsung hero of my team for three decades.
  It is largely because of Betsy's hard work behind the scenes that we 
are able to organize the Rebuilding Together program--formerly known as 
Christmas in April--in all five counties in our district. It is a day 
of service that brings people from all walks of life together to repair 
homes, revitalize communities, and help our neighbors.
  Because of Betsy's efforts, we have the annual Fifth District Women's 
Luncheon, dedicated to advancing women's equality and raising awareness 
of women leaders in the Fifth District and our country.
  Because of her, we have robust support for the network of early 
childhood centers in Maryland named in memory of my wife, Judy, who had 
a wonderful relationship with Betsy as well.
  Maryland's Judy Centers will always be a major part of Betsy's 
legacy, and the thousands of children and families who benefited from 
their services may not know Betsy or what she did to make the Judy 
Centers possible, but they will always owe her and her colleagues who 
partnered with her on that effort a debt of gratitude.
  Along with her friend and my friend, Betty Richardson--another 
longtime member of my team, who has since retired but remains very 
active in my district--as partners, Betty and Betsy were also 
instrumental in launching the annual Fifth District Black History 
Breakfast, now in its 38th year.
  All the young people who participate in the annual Greater Washington 
Soap Box Derby have Betsy to thank for being able to use the Capitol 
Grounds.
  Madam Speaker, I will look back with many, many, many fond memories 
of my time working with Betsy Bossart, my friend, my colleague, my 
coworker, whom I had the opportunity to work with to advance the 
interest of our district.
  We traveled together to South Africa and met with Nelson Mandela, 
discussing the important issue of racial justice and unity through 
history and healing.
  We have attended so many events together across Prince George's 
County and southern Maryland, making sure that every one of our 
constituent's voices is heard loudly and clearly in Congress.

[[Page H7136]]

  As majority leader and Democratic whip over the past 16 years, I have 
had to balance service to our district with my responsibilities to our 
Caucus and to our country. Betsy has spent every single day of that 
time making sure that our district always comes first.
  I will miss Betsy. I expect to remain her friend throughout my life, 
but I will miss her daily advice and expertise, though I am relieved 
that she will always be just a phone call away.
  As she retires, Madam Speaker, to spend more time with her husband 
and their family in Pennsylvania, I hope my colleagues will join me in 
thanking Betsy Bossart for 30 dedicated years, yes, to me, but, more 
importantly, to our constituents, to our State, and to our country.
  Madam Speaker, were I to speak another 2 hours--as some fear--I could 
not thank Betsy Bossart enough.
  God bless Betsy Bossart, a wonderful friend, a wonderful American.

                          ____________________