[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5828]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO LYDIE H. MASSE

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                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2008

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Madam Speaker, I rise before you today to honor 
Lydie H. Masse, recently awarded the 2008 Congressional Volunteer 
Recognition Award by the 2nd Congressional District of Maryland's 
Veterans Advisory Council.
  Lydie Masse works as a hospice night nurse at the Baltimore VA 
Rehabilitation Extended Care Center (BRECC). While many of the night 
duty personnel leave once their shift is over, Lydie always stays to 
escort patients to breakfast, where she plays the piano as breakfast is 
served and encourages singing among the patients. Fellow workers and 
volunteers admire how her music enhances the quality of life among the 
patients. Her gentle, friendly manner endears her to the patients, and 
whenever she plays music, encouraging them to join in, a sense of good 
will pervades the room and brightens the day of many of her patients.
  An injury caused Lydie to work with a brace on her leg for several 
weeks, but despite her long recovery she continued her work, never 
hurried or impatient with the veterans and always in a positive mood. 
After her arduous night duty is completed every morning, she stays as 
long as she is needed to help the patients start with their day, 
tending to any need her patients may have. She volunteers much of her 
free time to the patients she works with every night, doing her best to 
better their lives.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Lydie 
Masse. She is a remarkable volunteer for Maryland's veterans. Through 
her ongoing efforts, she has brightened the lives of the veterans she 
works with, making their stay at the BRECC as pleasant as possible. 
Lydie has gone above and beyond the call of duty to aid those who have 
sacrificed to serve our great Nation.

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