[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19480]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             HELEN VINCENT

 Mr. CARPER. Mr. President, I would like to set aside a few 
moments today to reflect on the life of a remarkable Delawarean, Helen 
Vincent, upon her passing at the age of 82. Helen was a good friend and 
a woman who demonstrated tremendous courage and integrity. She was a 
woman with a kind heart, diverse interests, great abilities, and 
boundless energy. In the way she lived her own life, Helen reminded 
each of us how good we can be.
  In her 30 years in Newark, DE, Helen became a well-known political 
and civic activist who championed ethics and justice. She believed in 
the democratic process and the value of honesty and integrity. A 
staunch ally, she was a major figure in our successful efforts to clean 
up New Castle County politics. We are a better State and a stronger 
Democratic Party because of her tireless efforts to infuse ethics into 
politics and her refusal to be deterred.
  Helen taught us all how to act responsibly, with vision and 
determination. She understood the inherent danger that comes from the 
silence of good people. With her courage, she made it just a bit easier 
for the rest of us to stand up and make our voices heard.
  Like Helen, Lou Gehrig's disease works across boundaries, without 
regard to racial, ethnic or economic barriers. But while the disease 
seeks to weaken the body, it proved only to bolster Helen's spirit and 
resolve. In life, and in facing death, Helen Vincent exemplified grace 
and grit.
  In the face of adversity, Helen seemed to always prevail. Even now, 
as we reflect on her life, she seems somehow to have triumphed again.
  Helen's legacy will live on in the lives of those she helped to 
shape, in the halls of the institutions she served, and in the hearts 
of those of us who were lucky enough to call her their friend. She 
believed that we could all do a bit better, and inspired us to do just 
that.
  So I rise today to commemorate Helen, to celebrate her life, and to 
offer her family our support. Helen truly embodied the best of 
Delaware. She will be sorely missed by all Delawareans who cherish 
honesty and integrity and who are committed to playing by the 
rules.

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