During its 153rd Annual Dinner Community Awards tonight, the Portland Regional Chamber will present U.S. Senator Susan Collins with its “Neal W. Allen Award for Leadership in the Public Sector.”
Her official duties in the Senate will prevent Senator Collins from attending the ceremony to accept the award. In taped remarks, she will express her appreciation to the Chamber for presenting her with this prestigious award.
The following is the full text of Senator Collins’ remarks.
“Good evening. I am deeply honored to receive the Neal Allen Award for 2007. The Senate is voting today, so my commitment to representing you prevents me from joining you in person. I appreciate this opportunity to offer a few words at this great celebration.
“Let me begin by offering my congratulations to the other award recipients tonight. Joe Boulos and Rich Patenaude are true leaders in two fields that are essential to Maine’s success – business and education. Your recognition of P.D. Merrill reminds us all of his countless contributions to this city and to our state. P.D. will be greatly missed, but his dedication will always inspire us.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome Dan Harris back to Maine. I know all here tonight are delighted by the success he has achieved in network news, but not at all surprised that it began right here in our great state of Maine.
“And my thanks to the many volunteers and sponsors who made this evening possible and who make this Chamber such a powerful force in economic development and community service. I especially thank National Semiconductor for sponsoring the award I am receiving tonight.
“Neal Allen is often described as the architect of modern government in the City of Portland. He was that, but he was much more. He was committed to good government – government that is efficient and effective, that is responsive to the needs of the people it serves, that is respectful of differing points of view, and that is accountable.
“I share that commitment. The challenges we face – at the local, state, and national levels – are too important for any of us in government to get bogged down in attempts to score political points. The bipartisan approach I take in my work in the Senate is based upon my conviction that the people I am honored to represent deserve non-partisan solutions to the many serious issues that confront us. Like Neal Allen, I believe that the power that comes with public office is merely on loan from the people, and it must be used wisely, fairly, and in the best interests of those we serve.
“That is the guiding spirit of the Portland Regional Chamber. Although you represent different communities, different fields, and different viewpoints, you come together to move this region and its people forward. I am proud to have worked with you on many endeavors, and I look forward to working with you in the future. Again, thank you for this great honor, and I wish you all the best.”
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