[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 71 (Thursday, April 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2071]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    VALENTINE'S DAY BANDIT REVEALED

  (Ms. PINGREE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PINGREE. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize a Mainer whose 
acts of kindness and love touched the lives of so many, even though 
most never knew his name until now.
  On every Valentine's Day since 1979, Kevin Fahrman of Falmouth, 
Maine, anonymously papered the greater Portland area with red hearts 
with the help of family and friends.
  Known as the Valentine's Day Bandit, he would blanket the city with 
hearts large and small in an enduring love letter to Portland, Maine. 
Every morning on February 14, Portland residents and visitors would 
wake up and walk the streets of the city covered in reminders of 
unconditional love handed out without any expectation of recognition or 
thanks.
  The identity of the Valentine's Day Bandit remained a mystery that 
confounded and delighted Mainers for decades--until now. Kevin passed 
away unexpectedly this past weekend, and his family decided it was 
finally time to unmask the man who had left an indelible mark on the 
city of Portland.
  Kevin never wanted recognition during his life, but his family wanted 
to honor him in his passing.
  I thank Kevin's family for sharing him with us for so long and for 
allowing us the opportunity to say thank you and honor him now in his 
passing.
  May his legacy of love transcend his life and continue to inspire us 
to show kindness to one another every single day of the year.

                          ____________________