Chris Van Hollen: “I rise to honor Mrs. Barbara Ann O'Malley, who passed away last month at the age of 93 after a long life guided by…”

“I rise to honor Mrs. Barbara Ann O'Malley, who passed away last month at the age of 93 after a long life guided by kindness, strength, grace, and humility. Mrs. O'Malley-- affectionately known as Mrs. O to both Hill staffers and Members alike--served Maryland for 30 years in the office of former Senator Barbara Mikulski. The indelible mark she has left on our State and on Capitol Hill will endure for generations. Barbara Ann O'Malley was born a pioneer. In her youth, she hungered to fly and earned a pilot's license at the age of 16 on her own initiative. But it was in the arena of public service where she would soar. Inspired by her father's service as chair of the county Democratic Party where she grew up, Barbara started volunteering for political campaigns when she was still too young to vote. Her passion for public service brought her from Indiana to Washington, where she worked for Democratic Congressman Edward Kruse and later became the national committeewoman for the Young Democrats. And as a mother, Barbara O'Malley raised her three children on the value of serving others. Her son Martin grew up to be the mayor of Baltimore, Governor of Maryland, and a candidate for President of the United States. After her boys left home, Mrs. O'Malley turned to raising a new family on Capitol Hill. She spread kindness, collegiality, and community from the front desk of Senator Mikulski's office for three decades.…”