In Memory of Daryl Ann Pennington

Floor Speech

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Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I share the news that a great friend and public servant has passed away.

Daryl Ann Pennington was a dear friend, trusted member of my staff, and a tireless advocate for Maryland's Fifth District.

For the past 12 years, Daryl served as a caseworker in my office in Greenbelt, Maryland, serving Prince George's County, Calvert County, and Anne Arundel County. Earlier, she had worked for former Maryland State Senator Ulysses Currie.

Mr. Speaker, she knew the Fifth District and its communities better than almost anyone, and she cared deeply about the people who called, emailed, and wrote to us asking for assistance with Federal agencies and help accessing government services. In particular, Daryl was a fierce advocate for our district seniors, but she was also a mentor to countless young people, including interns who came to our district office and learned lessons from Daryl, not only about serving our constituents but how to approach life through perseverance, faith, and positive thinking.

Daryl drew heavily on her personal faith as a member of the Evangel Cathedral in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, for more than a quarter of a century, and as a partner with Dr. Corinthia Ridgely Boone of the International Christian Host Coalition organizing the National Capital Region's Day of Prayer for many, many years.

Mr. Speaker, she believed strongly that prayer was a powerful tool, not only to connect with her creator, but to connect with others here on Earth, to communicate her love for others, and to spread peace and joy to those around her, which she surely did. Her sense of humor, her wit, her warmth will be sorely missed not only by her colleagues in my office, but by all who knew her.

I and all of us who worked so closely with Daryl will miss her very, very much. Daryl had so many spiritual daughters and the many young women who looked up to her over the years as a mentor and friend, but her pride and joy were her five children: Laura, Christie, Toi, Peter, and Lenny, as well as her grandchildren to whom, of course, she was devoted.

A native of Rochester, New York, Daryl made her final journey home in July when she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and departed Maryland to seek treatment closer to family at the University of Rochester Medical Center. We had all hoped to welcome her back soon, but sadly, Daryl's condition worsened quickly last week, and she passed away on Saturday morning with her family by her side.

Mr. Speaker, Daryl was a true friend and partner in service to the people of Maryland's Fifth District. She will long be remembered by those she helped and by those of us who worked closely with her.

Her passing is a great loss to my constituents, our office, to this House, and to our country. I hope my colleagues will join me in offering her family the condolences of the whole House and the thanks of a Nation grateful for patriotic Americans like Daryl Ann Pennington who serve their country and communities so dutifully and so well.

Mr. Speaker, now Daryl rests in peace with God, whom she served so faithfully throughout her life.

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