Tribute to Mary Rose Dickhaut, Selectman, Town of Clinton, Massachusetts

TRIBUTE TO MARY ROSE DICKHAUT, SELECTMAN, TOWN OF CLINTON, MASSACHUSETTS-HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN (Extensions of Remarks - April 27, 2004)

HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN
OF MASSACHUSETTS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2004

Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to one of the many great local officials who provide such dedicated service to the cities and towns all across this country that we are privileged to represent. Because our office requires that we are frequently away from our constituents, I think we sometimes fail to fully appreciate and seldom still acknowledge the daily demands that our mayors, city councilors and selectmen encounter in the communities where they live and serve.

For no less than 18 years, Mary Rose Dickhaut has met and mastered those daily demands as a selectman in the Town of Clinton, Massachusetts. On Tuesday, May 4th, she will return to life as a private citizen, leaving behind a sterling example of civic commitment and selfless devotion to one's hometown.

Mary Rose's tenure both as a member of the Board of Selectmen and as Chairman is unsurpassed in a community widely known for its rich and vibrant political culture. Her public service is remarkable not only for its longevity and distinction as the town's first and only female selectmen but for its impressive record of achievement as well.

After nearly two decades, there is scarcely a local issue or major municipal project in the Town of Clinton that has not benefitted from the strong, steady and forceful advocacy of Mary Rose Dickhaut. She led the town in its historic battle against the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to enforce a century old agreement to provide drinking water to the citizens of Clinton. She championed the restoration of the community's Town Hall, the revitalization of its downtown and the expansion of its police station. Long before it was fashionable to do so, Mary Rose urged the town to invest in its rapidly deteriorating water and sewer infrastructure. In 1999 and 2000, she cochaired the town's 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee which planned, among many other memorable events, the first Olde Home Days Festival in Central Park that has since grown to become a popular annual attraction for families from all over Central Massachusetts.

Mr. Speaker, while these very public accomplishments have placed Mary Rose's indelible handprint on the Town of Clinton, they do not begin to fully describe the tremendous contributions and sacrifices she has made on its behalf. As we know, many of the good deeds performed by elected officials go unnoticed and unrecorded. For 18 years, Mary Rose has graciously taken the nightly phone calls at home, politely endured the interrupted trips to the grocery store and faithfully attended the countless committee meetings and public hearings. She has endeavored whenever possible to help those who sought her capable assistance and to better her community for future generations to enjoy. Through it all, she has maintained a well-deserved reputation for honesty and integrity and earned the respect of her colleagues for her keen intellect, diligent work ethic and an unfailing fidelity to the town's best interests.

Mr. Speaker, the Town of Clinton, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States of America owe Mary Rose Dickhaut a debt of gratitude for her years of dedicated service. Accordingly, I respectfully request that this esteemed body convey its heartfelt appreciation to Mary Rose for her efforts and our best wishes for a happy, healthy and enjoyable retirement from public life.

Madam Chairman, you have earned it.

END