[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14990]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         COMMENDING SHARON DALY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am pleased to rise today to commend Sharon 
Daly for her more than 30 years of service to those in need. Through 
her tireless advocacy, she has truly made an important contribution to 
the well-being of real people and has improved the character of this 
Nation.
  Most of those who have benefited from her efforts will never know her 
name or the impact that she had on their lives. That is because Sharon 
wasn't one to seek the limelight or publicity for herself. Instead, she 
has quietly but determinedly dedicated herself to helping the most 
vulnerable among us--including those with disabilities, the homeless, 
victims of domestic violence, disadvantaged and abused children, and 
immigrants. Sharon's leadership and commitment truly exemplifies what 
it means to ``love you neighbor as yourself.''
  Through her service at the Children's Foundation, the U.S. Conference 
of Catholic Bishops, the Children's Defense Fund, and most recently as 
vice president and then senior public policy advisor at Catholic 
Charities USA she has worked to make Federal programs, including the 
Food Stamps Program, Medicaid, the earned-income tax credit and many 
others, more responsive to the needs of those facing significant 
challenges in their lives. She helped Members of Congress and our 
staffs understand how the support provided by these programs helps low-
income families and children address the ravages of poverty.
  Sharon worked successfully on bipartisan efforts to enact the Family 
and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also 
played a lead role in the enactment of a 1993 package of benefits for 
low-income families with children, including major expansions in the 
earned-income tax credit, food stamps, immunization, and family 
preservation/child welfare services.
  Mr. President, Sharon Daly is retiring from Catholic Charities USA. 
She will be deeply missed for her thoughtful guidance and leadership. I 
have confidence, however, that she will remain an inspiration to those 
who will follow in her footsteps.

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