[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E224-E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING PAM WILLIAMS AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Pam Williams, the Director of 
the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps in Des Moines, as the Iowan of the 
Week. As the Isiserettes celebrate their 40th anniversary this year, I 
know this longstanding community program relies on the contributions 
and dedication of Ms. Williams to the Isiserettes Drill and Drum Corps.
   Ms. Williams, or Ms. Pam as her students call her, co-founded the 
Isiserettes in 1980, a time when there weren't many creative outlets 
for young African American kids in Iowa. Since then, the Isiserettes 
have become an icon in the Des Moines Metro, with performances at the 
Iowa State Fair, parades all over the city, and even music videos with 
local musicians. They also perform nationally, hold several titles and 
have earned the honor of performing in both of President Obama's 
Inaugural Parades. We are deeply proud to see them representing Iowa as 
they travel across this country.
   Even at the age of 75, Ms. Pam never misses a rehearsal. You can 
always find her working hard on choreography and helping students reach 
the high expectations she's set for them. Students between 7 and 18 
years old dedicate themselves to early morning practices on hot summer 
days, and must maintain good grades in order to participate. As a 
result, they boast a 91 percent graduation rate amongst members of 
their team. Ms. Pam's students describe her as one of the

[[Page E225]]

strictest people they know, but they will also tell you she is like a 
second mother to them. The key to the Isiserettes' success is the 
family atmosphere fostered by Ms. Pam and her team.
   It should not go without notice that Isiserettes Drill and Drum 
Corps is a volunteer-led organization. Ms. Pam does not receive a 
single dime for the thousands of hours she puts into the organization 
every year. She does it out of the goodness of her heart, the benefits 
to our community, and her commitment to the success of her students. 
Ms. Pam has built the tradition, pride, and dedication that has 
sustained the Isiserettes for 40 years.
   It is Ms. Pam's dedication to providing a safe place for students to 
express themselves through music and dance that makes her a pillar of 
our community. It is an honor to commemorate Ms. Pam and recognize her 
as the Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________