[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN REMEMBRANCE OF MRS. DORCAS R. HARDY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 2020

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 
service of Mrs. Dorcas R. Hardy who passed away Thursday, November 28, 
2019. She selflessly served her community through her dedicated work in 
health services and passionately advocated the need for more financial 
security education for the public. Moreover, she served her country as 
the first woman commissioner of the Social Security Administration in 
1986. Her life was an example of dedication, toughness, love, and 
service from which all of us would be wise to learn.
  Dorcas was born in Newark, New Jersey on July 18, 1946. In 1968, she 
completed her bachelor's degree at Connecticut College and subsequently 
obtained her Master of Business Administration degree in 1976 from 
Pepperdine University. As a natural-born leader, she headed the Health 
Services Industry Committee, Cost of Living Council from 1971 to 1973 
and eventually was appointed to commissioner of the Social Security 
Administration in 1986 by then-president Ronald Reagan. Later, she 
continued to help the community by running a consulting firm and 
becoming a passionate advocate.
  In 1996, she married Dr. Samuel Spagnolo and is survived by him and 
her three stepsons, along with their four grandchildren. Dorcas was a 
model for all of us not only in her work, but in her personal life.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you to join me in honoring Mrs. Hardy and in 
thanking Dorcas Hardy's family for their incredible sacrifices, 
devotion, and service to our nation; words cannot express our 
gratitude. On behalf of America's First District, we say thank you.

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