[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 125 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A TRIBUTE TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE ANNETTE POLLY WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 16, 2010

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
my friend, a dear former colleague and mentor to new legislators and a 
great stateswoman, Rep. Annette Polly Williams. She is the longest 
serving woman in the history of the Wisconsin State Legislature. Rep. 
Williams is retiring from public office after 30 years of outstanding 
service to her constituents.
  Affectionately known as Polly, she was born in the Mississippi Delta 
region of Belzoni, Mississippi and moved to Milwaukee when she was 10 
years old. She is a product of the public school system and fellow 
graduate of North Division High School. Rep. Williams is committed to 
ensuring that all children receive access to a good education. Out of 
her passion to and commitment for education, she became the author/
mother of the nation's first true Educational Parental Choice 
Legislation.
  Rep. Williams has made her mark in other areas. She founded the Black 
Women's Network, the Milwaukee Parental Assistance Center; the Black 
Leadership Organization. Further, she was the co-founder of the African 
American Alliance providing political leadership to Milwaukee's African 
American community; founding member of the Wisconsin African American 
Women's Center; and served as the co-host for the ``Tuesday Morning 
Breakfast Club'' on a local radio station for many years.
  Polly is a treasure to our community and will continue her service to 
those in need. Whether it is someone who has lost a loved one, 
experienced a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina or local 
flooding, Polly will be there providing compassion and support.
  Madam Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in a salute to Rep. Annette Polly Williams. 
We wish her well in a retirement that is full of new challenges.

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