[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E679]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MRS. DORIS MARGARET WARD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2018

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the life of a passionate civil rights activist, committed 
community servant, and my dear friend--Doris Margaret Ward. She 
embodied the ideal of what it means to be a true public servant and to 
selflessly give of her time and talents for the betterment of others.
  The Honorable Doris Ward graduated from Froebel High School, of Gary, 
Indiana, where she mastered the art of debating, helping her debate 
team win a championship while serving as team leader. She, later, 
earned both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Education from the 
University of Indiana. She continued her education by earning a 
Master's Degree in Counseling from the San Francisco State University 
of California. It was there that her passion for social activism 
blossomed as she joined other students during sit-in protests. This 
experience led her to become the President of the Indianapolis National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) 
Metropolitan Council.
  Doris also taught in the Indianapolis School District before marrying 
a law student by the name of John Ward. After moving to San Francisco 
in 1968, she became a Trustee of the San Francisco Community College 
District. Later on, in 1979, Doris was elected to the San Francisco 
Board of Supervisors. Eleven short years later, she became the San 
Francisco Board of Supervisors' first African American President.
  In 1996, Doris was first appointed to, and then elected as the San 
Francisco County Assessor Recorder. She retired in 2006 with a 
remarkable, long-term record of political activism. Doris is a Founding 
Member of the San Francisco Chapter of 100 Black Women Incorporated, 
and Black Women Stirring the Waters. She led the African-American 
Action Network and served as Board Vice President of the Black 
Coalition on AIDS, which later became the Rafiki Coalition for Health 
and Wellness. Of Mrs. Ward's numerous accomplishments and accolades, 
what brought her the most joy was her sponsorship and co-sponsorship of 
legislation governing minority businesses, rent control mandates for 
San Francisco apartment vacancies, and the divestiture in South Africa' 
s apartheid.
  Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ward family, Mrs. Ward's 
friends, and her admirers. There are many whose lives were greatly 
enhanced by the endless service, the profound graciousness, and the 
pure love that she carried in her heart and soul. It is my hope that 
the outpouring of love that surrounds her loved ones gives you all the 
strength to embrace each coming day with a spirit of strength and 
peace.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to again formally recognize Mrs. Doris 
Ward's 86 years of life and the tremendous impact she has had 
throughout. Her record of political and social activism is only 
superseded by her incredible compassion to fight for those that could 
not fight for themselves. I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating her life and in honoring the outstanding legacy she has 
left for all of us to remember her by.

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