Commemorating the Life of Maria Leavey

The following resolution was adopted by the DNC Resolutions Committee at its meeting on February 1, 2007, in conjunction with the meetings of the Democratic National Committee, February 1-3, 2007.

Submitted by:
Governor Howard Dean, DNC Chair/Vermont
Terry Lierman, Chair, Maryland
James Metcalfe, Chair, Alaska
John A. Perez, California

Resolution Commemorating the Life of Maria Leavey

WHEREAS, Maria Leavey was a dedicated Democrat who worked behind the scenes for many progressive causes and candidates; and

WHEREAS, Leavey was born in Pisa, Italy, where her father was stationed with the Army; and

WHEREAS, she grew up in the Queens neighborhood of New York and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Trinity University in Washington, DC; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, she moved to Crystal City, VA, where she worked out of her small apartment on an outmoded computer, but still was able to build contacts among the political leaders in Washington; and

WHEREAS, she held a monthly breakfast where liberal journalists met with high-level newsmakers and elected officials; and

WHEREAS, she had a unique ability to bring opinion leaders together with Washington’s political leaders; and

WHEREAS, Leavey was a consultant for Gov. Howard Dean’s 2004 campaign for president; and

WHEREAS, on December 31, 2006, the day before her 53rd birthday, Leavey passed away, of heart disease, in her apartment in Arlington;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) celebrates the life and contributions of Maria Leavey.