[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17580]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF MARY BOURDETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 7, 2006

  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, with a heavy heart, I 
rise to honor the life of Mary Bourdette.
  On September 5th, America lost one of its great champions for 
children and families. Mary Bourdette was a passionate and dedicated 
advocate and had an extraordinary 30-year career. Mary's tireless 
efforts improved the lives of countless children and families across 
the country.
  I will personally miss her friendship, and the Nation will miss her 
devotion to children's welfare.
  I first met Mary in California when she was working on improving 
education in the state. Mary and I then worked closely together when I 
chaired the House Select Committee on Children Youth and Families in 
the 1980s here in the House.
  She was a skilled advocate and negotiator and her vision and 
persistence were critical to my efforts on child welfare policy and 
numerous other issues. Mary advocated for children and families in many 
capacities here in Washington, D.C. over the past 30 years. She worked 
for the Legal Services Corporation to help ensure that our poorest 
citizens have access to the legal system that our Constitution 
promises. She later worked tirelessly at the Children Defense Fund on 
the first major expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and the 
original enactment of the Child Care and Development Block Grant--
programs that have made an enormous difference for America's poorest 
families.
  Her work with the Child Welfare League of America as Director of 
Public Policy also proved vital for the well-being of America's 
children and families. And her 8 years with the Clinton Administration 
allowed Mary to play a central and critical role in the many federal 
policies that affect children.
  Her untimely death is a tragedy. Her colleagues will miss her and her 
family and closest friends will mourn her loss. To them, I extend my 
profound condolences and empathy. But in honor of Mary, let not one of 
us ever forget the meaning of her life's work. Mary Bourdette believed 
that every child and family, no matter how poor or meager their 
existence, deserved the chance to live a better life. She was a model 
for those who wish to dedicate themselves to improving the lives of 
others. And for that I am grateful. Our nation is indebted to her for 
what she believed in and what she tried so hard to accomplish.

                          ____________________