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Capitol Hill Legend Honored
Pelosi Designates Mary Bain as Heritage Defender House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi presented the Heritage Defender award from Heritage Preservation to Mary Anderson Bain in a May 6 ceremony on Capitol Hill. Numerous additional Members of Congress participated in the ceremony honoring Bain, whose service to the nation spanned the terms of 11 presidents.
Bain’s role as a leading defender of the nation’s heritage was also saluted at the breakfast ceremony by Senator Richard Durbin and by Representatives Ralph Regula, David Obey, Barney Frank, and Jan Schakowsky. Attending the event were representatives of national cultural agencies and organizations and Congressional staff who worked with Bain over the years. Bain’s career on Capitol Hill began in 1965, when she became Chief of Staff to Representative Sidney R. Yates (D-Ill.). She and Yates shared commitments to politics and to cultural heritage. When in 1975 Yates became chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies, it was the beginning of almost a quarter century of active and enlightened support for preservation of the nation’s artistic, historic, and scientific legacy.
Other agencies that Bain had a special role in watching over and encouraging included the National Endowment for the Arts, the Smithsonian, the National Gallery of Art, and the Kennedy Center. All flourished during this period. “While Mary preferred to work behind the scenes, the effect of her wise counsel and knowledge of how to get things done has had a continuing impact on the preservation of our nation’s heritage,” said Lawrence L. Reger, President of Heritage Preservation. “Mary’s efforts resulted in programs that are still helping ensure that present and future generations will have the benefit of the objects that embody our collective memory.” Bain’s government service started in 1935, when at the age of 23 she began her association with the National Youth Administration, first as District Director for Northern Illinois, then as Illinois State Director. She was one of the two youngest state administrators in the country (the other was Lyndon Baines Johnson) and one of the few women. Her passion for her work and willingness to question conventional wisdom drew the attention of Harry Hopkins, Aubrey Williams, and eventually Eleanor Roosevelt. As a result, she became Deputy Director of the Illinois War Manpower Commission, roving Midwest executive for the Office of Price Administration, and Illinois Director of the U.S. Employment Service.
The Heritage Defender award is presented by Heritage Preservation to individuals whose contributions to preserving the nation’s cultural heritage are extraordinary. Robert Peck was the last recipient of the award, in recognition of his accomplishments in protecting historic buildings as a member of the staff of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and as Commissioner of the Public Building Service at the General Services Administration. Photos: Mary Bain (center) with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Senator Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. Heritage Preservation Chairman Dennis Fiori speaking at the breakfast. Debbie Hess Norris and Mervin Richard, Heritage Preservation Board members, talking with Ms. Pelosi. |
“Not only did Mary Bain save national treasures, she is a national treasure,” said Pelosi. “Mary was a pioneer on the Hill. When I was elected to Congress in 1987, Mary had already been here for 20 years. Her guidance was essential to me and to so many others.”
While Yates received well-deserved recognition for his leadership, Bain was instrumental behind the scene—asking questions, developing positions, and, always, working the phones. Their accomplishments included:
Known for her wit, political shrewdness, and allegiance to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Bain was a legend among her fellow staff members and Members of Congress. Bain is remembered as one of the first women to hold the Chief of Staff position on the Hill, and for her mentoring of the many young people who worked in the office. Among the Yates office “alums” are Scott Simon of National Public Radio, Jacob Weisberg of Slate, and George Van Dusen, Mayor of Skokie, Illinois. Bain retired in 1999.