IV 
108TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 626 
Honoring the life and accomplishments of Mary McGrory. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 5, 2004 
Ms. SLAUGHTER (for herself, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. 
MEEHAN, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. HASTINGS 
of Florida, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. MATSUI, Mr. STARK, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, 
Ms. NORTON, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mr. 
MARKEY, and Mr. KILDEE) submitted the following resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Honoring the life and accomplishments of Mary McGrory. 
Whereas Mary McGrory was born in Roslindale, Massachu-
setts, on August 22, 1918; 
Whereas Mary McGrory spent her entire life studying the 
classic poetry and literature to which she was first intro-
duced as a student at the Boston Girls’ Latin School; 
Whereas Mary McGrory began her career in journalism writ-
ing book reviews for the Washington Star; 
Whereas Mary McGrory’s coverage of the Army-McCarthy 
hearings in 1954 received national acclaim and earned 
her the reputation of a credible reporter;
•HRES 626 IH 
Whereas her coverage of President John F. Kennedy’s assas-
sination was intimate and comforting to a grieving Na-
tion; 
Whereas in 1975 Mary McGrory was awarded the Pulitzer 
Prize for Commentary for her coverage of Watergate; 
Whereas Mary McGrory’s commentary on the actions of the 
United States Government was replete with keen observa-
tion, ruthless analysis, and the utmost integrity; 
Whereas her work ethic and her allegiance to ethical, relent-
less reporting only grew stronger throughout her career; 
Whereas, although her column was published in the Wash-
ington Post for more than 20 years, her loyalty, affec-
tion, and reverence for the Washington Star never 
wavered; 
Whereas for over 50 years she gave her time, energy, and 
love to the children of St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity 
Home in Hyattsville, Maryland, where Mary McGrory 
was called Mary Gloria by students to whom her name 
proved too difficult to pronounce; 
Whereas Mary McGrory established a well-equipped class-
room at St. Ann’s known as the ‘‘Mary Gloria room’’ and 
paid for tutors to help students who required additional 
assistance with their studies; 
Whereas well-known diplomats, politicians, members of the 
media, and other members of the Lower Macomb Street 
Choral Society dined on her legendary lasagna and sang 
her favorite Irish songs at her famous parties; 
Whereas Mary McGrory was awarded the John Chancellor 
Award for Excellence in Journalism in March 2003;
•HRES 626 IH 
Whereas the American Ireland Fund honored Mary McGrory 
in March 2004 with the Humanitarian Award in recogni-
tion of her renowned writing career and gallant reporting 
of injustice; 
Whereas, in Mary McGrory’s words, ‘‘Newspapering is not 
just the most important thing, it is the only thing’’; 
Whereas Mary McGrory’s career earned her the title of ‘‘first 
lady of journalism’’; 
Whereas Mary McGrory has been described as ‘‘a writer of 
lasting influence, exquisite technique, liberal convictions, 
a contempt for phonies, and a love of orphans and del-
phiniums’’; and 
Whereas Mary McGrory will be remembered for her command 
of language, her reverence for reporting, her intrinsic 
compassion, and her merciless wit: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives honors 
the life and accomplishments of Mary McGrory. 
Æ