[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 105 (Thursday, June 15, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S2121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO MARTHA NATHANSON

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, Ella Winter famously remarked to 
author Thomas Wolfe, ``Don't you know you can't go home again?'' The 
remark, in abbreviated form, became the title of one of his most famous 
books, published after he died. The two writers never met Martha D. 
Nathanson, who grew up in Park Heights, went to Indiana University in 
Bloomington to earn her bachelor's degree and J.D., and then returned 
home and dedicated her life to making Baltimore a better, safer, 
healthier, and happier place.
  Martha is retiring from LifeBridge Health, where she has been 
responsible for government relations, focusing on legislative and 
regulatory policy at all three levels of government, covering all 
aspects of healthcare delivery and community and economic development 
in the areas surrounding all of LifeBridge Health's facilities, 
including Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. Martha's expertise, political 
skills, finesse, and natural ability as a community organizer have made 
her a formidable force for bringing better healthcare and other vital 
services to underserved communities, including Lower Park Heights. I 
don't know whether LifeBridge's Northwest Hospital would be the 
outstanding facility it is today without Martha's tireless advocacy.
  Before Martha joined LifeBridge some 25 years ago, she was director 
of risk management and legislative and regulatory affairs for Kirson 
Medical Equipment Company, where she developed legal, regulatory, and 
joint commission--JCAH--compliance programs and drafted and negotiated 
contracts with providers. She also worked as an attorney advisor at the 
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services and as an associate attorney 
at Ober Kaler in Baltimore. I have relied on and am grateful for 
Martha's wise counsel on healthcare and community and economic 
development issues in Baltimore over the years.
  Martha's vocation and avocation are one and the same. In addition to 
her professional career, she serves on the board of CHAI--Comprehensive 
Housing Assistance, Inc.--served as chair of the Board of Park Heights 
Renaissance and is a founding member of the Northwest Baltimore 
Partnership. She also serves on the board of advisers of the University 
of Maryland School of Social Work and the Safe Streets Community 
Advisory Board. She has bought, renovated, and sold houses in her 
neighborhood and is active in CREW Baltimore, which promotes the 
business interests and professional advancement of women in all 
disciplines of the commercial real estate industry by providing 
educational and networking opportunities and contributing resources to 
support the local community. Given all of this, it is no surprise that 
Martha was named as one of Maryland's 100 Top Women by the ``Daily 
Record'' in 2017.
  We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give. 
Martha Nathanson has given so much to her beloved hometown, and 
Baltimore is so much better for her tireless efforts. Since she is not 
the ``retiring'' kind, I know she will stay active in community 
affairs. But now, she will have more time for biking and trekking and 
environmental causes and, most important, for her family. I know that 
she is especially ``over the moon'' about being a grandmother. I want 
to thank her for her service and friendship and wish her all the best 
as she begins the next chapter in a wonderful life of service.

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