[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     DELAWARE'S MOTHER OF THE YEAR

 Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Mrs. Mary Jane 
DeMatteis, Delaware's Mother of the Year 2000.
  The story of Mrs. DeMatteis is one of strength and devotion. After 
her loving husband of twenty years passed away, she was left to raise 
their six children alone. Mrs. DeMatteis used her faith and her love 
for her children to persevere through the most difficult of times. 
While maintaining a job in the Delaware court system, she was able to 
find the time and energy to care for her children and teach them the 
importance of family and love.
  I have had the opportunity to witness the product of Mrs. DeMatteis' 
many years of commitment to her children. Claire, her daughter, is one 
of my most senior advisors and her intellect and strength of character 
is certainly a reflection of the profound influence her mother has had 
on her life. Today the legacy of Mary Jane DeMatteis continues as her 
ten grandchildren are graced with the success and love that Mrs. 
DeMatteis infused into the lives of her children. I am sure that her 
impact will be felt for countless generations to come.
  We all know that being a parent is the most important job in the 
world. I am extremely proud to recognize this wonderful honor that Mrs. 
DeMatteis so well deserves.

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