[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 28, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING ERIC VON BROADLEY

  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life and legacy 
of Eric Von Broadley, known throughout the country as Eric Von, whose 
untimely passing at the age of 58 has left the Milwaukee community 
without one of its most thoughtful African-American leaders. Over the 
last three decades, Eric Von has been a bridge builder, a healer, and 
an important voice in Milwaukee's African-American community.
  Eric was a 25-year veteran of the radio industry, starting his career 
as a disc jockey and then moving into news as a reporter and anchor. He 
served as the business manager for Radio One in Washington, DC. Then, 
when his career took him from Washington, DC, to Milwaukee, he became 
the director of operations for the former 1290 WMCS radio.
  It did not take long before local news programs sought out his 
gravitas as a commentator. Eric became a regular panelist on Wisconsin 
Public Television's Interchange and the cohost of ``Black Nouveau.'' 
Milwaukee ABC network affiliate, WISN Channel 12, turned to Eric's 
influence in the community to motivate people to vote in local and 
national elections. Eric became a special assignment reporter and 
cohost of ``It's Your Vote,'' a weekly political affairs show which 
featured candidate forums, debates, and voter education information.
  Beyond broadcast journalism, Eric was the managing partner of the 
public relations firm he founded, Von Communications. In addition, Eric 
Von and his wife, Faithe Colas, cofounded an online health magazine 
committed to improving the health of African-American men, known as 
Brain, Brawn & Body.
  Eric was a fearless opinion leader. As a broadcast journalist, he 
spoke frankly and from the heart on the day's most controversial social 
and political issues. He was brave enough to take on the stereotypes 
and misconceptions that divide Milwaukee and do it in a way that earned 
the respect of even his strongest detractors. And in a city where 
inflammatory talk radio is prevalent, his was a voice of reason in the 
debate over inequality and injustice.
  He was known for speaking the truth about Milwaukee's racial divide 
and using his platform as a vehicle for positive change. Just last 
month, I had the honor of speaking with Eric about the recent unrest in 
Milwaukee's Sherman Park neighborhood that was tied to lack of job 
opportunities in the central city. We discussed how we could work 
together to bring healing to the city, and we promised to speak again 
soon to find solutions that will build a stronger Milwaukee community.
  Eric Von was the loving husband of Faithe Colas; father of Erica 
Broadley, Bria Culp, and Paige Colas; and grandfather to Domonic Patten 
and Erielle Taylor. He leaves behind a host of family and friends that 
truly loved him and will miss him dearly.
  As we honor the life of Eric Von Broadley, I join with mourners 
across the Milwaukee community in pledging to continue Eric's fight for 
equal opportunity and to honor his legacy of action.

                          ____________________