[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 29, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING WANDA FULLMORE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK POCAN

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2014

  Mr. POCAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Wanda Fullmore, who, 
after 39 years of dedicated service to the people of Madison, 
Wisconsin, is retiring from the Mayor's Office.
  Her welcoming voice, warm smile and engaging personality greeted the 
visitors of five Madison mayors since 1975. Regardless of who sat in 
the mayor's chair, her unofficial title was ``The Real Mayor.'' You 
knew you had become a local community leader when Wanda knew you well 
enough to call you ``Honey!''
  Mayors would come and go, but Wanda was the consistent presence and 
institutional memory that guided residents through the complications of 
local government for nearly four decades. Her knowledge of Madison city 
government was unparalleled. Better than any directory, organizational 
chart, or 211 referral system, Wanda could find the one person in city 
government who could solve even the most esoteric of problems. And 
chances are, she not only knew their phone number by heart, but also 
the names and ages of their children.
  As anyone who answers phones for a living knows, her job was not 
always pleasant or easy. She incurred the wrath of many constituents 
upset about everything from parks to potholes and taxes to traffic. She 
handled them all with patience and grace.
  Wanda Fullmore: greeter, listener, caseworker, gatekeeper, public 
servant, sounding board, advocate, friend. She will be missed by all 
who had the pleasure of working with her and the thousands of people 
whose lives she touched.
  I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to join me in wishing her an 
enjoyable and well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________