[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 94 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MARY HENDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 3, 2024

  Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize a visionary 
advocate and leader in my state who, for decades, has worked to improve 
the lives of her fellow citizens. Over her influential career, Mary 
Henderson has worked as an attorney and co-founded a legal aid and 
economic justice nonprofit--among many other roles--to consistently 
address root causes of poverty.
  Mary's advocacy for Maine people began at Pine Tree Legal Assistance, 
a nonprofit organization which provides free civil legal assistance. As 
a staff attorney, Mary tirelessly provided representation on a variety 
of cases. Under Mary's guidance, countless people were able to access 
government supports for which they were eligible but had previously 
been improperly denied.
  In 1996, Mary co-founded Maine Equal Justice, a nonprofit civil legal 
aid and economic justice organization. In her role as Executive 
Director, Mary assisted in the acquisition of a location and the 
securing of funds to create a sustainable and reliable resource for 
Maine's most vulnerable populations. Through her defense of government 
programs for public healthcare, education access, and housing and food 
security, Mary's work has improved the lives of thousands of Maine 
people.
  Since leaving Maine Equal Justice, Mary has brought her expertise and 
unwavering dedication to the Office of Substance Abuse, Maine 
Department of Labor, Office of Maine Care Services, National Academy 
for State Health Policy, Maine Children's Alliance, and Preble Street 
Resource Center. In each of her roles, Mary has intentionally centered 
the voices and experiences of the people of Maine who are served by 
these critical government and anti-poverty programs.
  I had the great pleasure of working with Mary during my years in the 
State House and was able to see firsthand how the State of Maine 
benefitted from her knowledge, skills, and advocacy. I am very proud to 
represent her and the State of Maine in Congress. I wish Mary continued 
success, and I wholeheartedly thank her for her many years of 
influential work.

                          ____________________