In Honor of Stephen E. Collins

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE
PAGE S7516
June 25, 2004

(At the request of Mr. DASCHLE, the following statement was ordered to be printed in the RECORD.)

IN HONOR OF STEPHEN E. COLLINS

Mr. KERRY. Madam President, I am proud to join family, friends, and colleagues in recognizing and celebrating the incredible life and dedicated work of Steve Collins. His tireless efforts on behalf of our disadvantaged citizens have greatly benefited the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and his fighting spirit is an inspiration to us all.

Steve began his career as an advocate for the importance of human services over 25 years ago, and has continued his passion for helping others ever since. His career history includes work at a mental health center for youth, supervision of the Uphams Corner Health Center in Dorchester, case management at Minuteman Home Care, and direction of the Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Massachusetts. Steve's most sweeping impact, however, has come through his work with the Massachusetts Human Services Coalition, where, after years of participation in the Coalition's efforts, he became Executive Director in 1999.

Steve comes from a family committed to working for the public good. He is the son of a high school teacher and a newspaper editor, and it was his father who from early on taught him to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." Taking this motto to heart, Steve has, for many years, been a voice for the voiceless citizens of Massachusetts by monitoring State policy and budgets and advocating for the vital services that aid the disadvantaged. With unwavering devotion, Steve has embraced his role as David to the sometimes Goliath government bureaucracy, and he has continually won tangible results.

Armed with an amazing ability to inject humor into his noble struggles, Steve calls upon governors and legislators to look more critically at the effects of their policies with events like the " 'State of the State We're Really In' Bake Sale." And while his criticisms are direct and his position unflinching, Steve has earned the respect of legislators and officials alike. He never compromises his vision and always works around-the-clock to mobilize support for the protection of human services.

[Page S7517]

Steve manages to forever remind us all that every citizen deserves respect, and with that recognition of human dignity comes the obligation to assist those in need. He serves as a voice for the most vulnerable in our society, and the utter importance of his life's work cannot be overstated.

There is no more noble goal than to serve others. Steve remains a loyal friend to those in need of his help, and he has never backed down from the challenge of defending them. I am honored by his ceaseless efforts and it is with respect and gratitude that I join in celebrating Steve's life, work, and innumerable contributions.·