[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 556]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING FRANCIS JOSEPH CHASE

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a proud 
veteran, a committed Marylander, a great American, and my good friend, 
Francis Joseph ``Frank'' Chase. Frank passed away on December 11, 2012 
in his Columbia, MD home after a brief illness. He leaves behind his 
beloved family: his wife of 50 years, Carole, a daughter Amy, and a 
granddaughter Grace.
  Frank loved his country dearly, and he showed it through years of 
public service, which began in 1955, when he entered the Army for 3 
years. Frank then joined the civil service, beginning at the Social 
Security Administration and later moving to the Health Care Financing 
Administration, both in Baltimore. When he retired in January 1993, 
Frank left government service with far more than his Federal pension. 
For at SSA and HCFA, he had honed expertise that would for many years 
guide him to continue, as a volunteer, to improve the lives of 
retirees, persons with disabilities, and others.
  A man of boundless energy, Frank was a valued confidant and a member 
of my health advisory group for the past 20 years. With nearly perfect 
attendance at meetings and conference calls, he could always be counted 
on for a warm greeting, sage advice, and wisdom born of compassion and 
clear-sightedness.
  A graduate of Dartmouth College, Frank maintained strong ties with 
his alma mater, serving terms as president of the Dartmouth Alumni 
Association and president of the Dartmouth Club of Maryland. He also 
served his community through volunteer work at Common Cause of 
Maryland, United Seniors of Maryland, and the National Association of 
Retired Federal Employees.
  Through his involvement in Maryland politics, Frank fought tirelessly 
for fair election practices, propelled by the belief that, regardless 
of their views, all Marylanders deserved to have their voices heard. 
Through my many conversations with him over the years, I discovered a 
man who loved democracy and justice, and who felt compelled to live his 
life in service to these causes.
  In closing, when I think of Frank, I am reminded of the words of 
Robert Frost in ``Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening'':

     The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
     But I have promises to keep,
     And miles to go before I sleep,
     And miles to go before I sleep.

  Frank could have led a comfortable, quiet life after retirement, but 
he chose instead to keep going for many more miles, working for the 
causes he believed in deeply and the Nation he loved. Like all who were 
privileged to know him, I will miss my dear friend Frank Chase, and I 
ask you to join me in celebrating his life.

                          ____________________