[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 104 (Thursday, June 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E515-E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING ALMA LEE LOY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL POSEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2020

  Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on April 10, 2020, Vero Beach said good-bye 
to its First Lady and prolific community leader, Alma Lee Loy, who 
passed away at 90 years old of pneumonia-related complications. As a 
personal friend and beloved member of our community, I would like to 
take this time to recognize the countless contributions Alma has made 
to Indian River County and celebrate a lifetime of extraordinary 
personal achievements.
  Alma Lee Loy was born in Vero Beach on June 10, 1929 and from a very 
young age dedicated her life to the betterment of Indian River County, 
the community she so loved and was revered by. Ask any Vero Beach 
Resident if they knew of her, and they would surely say yes, with 
mentions of fond memories and stories.
  Throughout her life she wore many important hats that made her into 
the iconic woman that our community grew to respect and love. Alma was 
a compassionate neighbor, a philanthropist, accomplished athlete, 
successful businesswoman, historian, and a mentor to our community's 
youth, just to name a few.
  For the first 42 years of her career, she operated and ran a 
children's clothing store in downtown Vero Beach, Alma Lee's Clothing 
Center, alongside her close friend Lucy Auxier. It was here that the 
community first befriended her, as they shopped for years for back-to-
school clothes and dresses and came to know her giving heart. But in 
more than one way, Alma was compelled to further serve her community.
  Her civic engagement spans many sectors. She became a founding member 
of the Vero Beach City Recreation Board, the Vero Beach Downtown 
Merchants Association, Education Foundation of Indian River County and 
the Indian River Community Foundation. Her altruistic spirit drove her 
to volunteer and lead several philanthropic organizations including 
what is now the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Gifford Youth 
Orchestra. From 1968 to 1980, Alma served on the Indian River County 
Board of County Commissioners, serving as Chairman and Vice Chairman.
  Alma's unwavering commitment to preserving her community's natural 
beauty and treasures, in addition to educating the public about its' 
historical significance, has long helped spread awareness of important 
issues in Indian River County. She played an important role in raising 
the awareness that saved the 18-acre McKee Botanical Garden from 
housing development, serving twice as President of the garden. She 
served on the board of the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary 
Committee, served two terms as President of the Indian River Land 
Trust, and received the ``Love Your Lagoon'' award for her dedication 
to cleaning up our waterways.
  Many of Alma's achievements succeed her in the form of local 
buildings and awards, including the Alma Lee Loy Bridge on 17th Street 
and the Alma Lee Loy Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, where she 
served as the first female board member. There have been many 
contributions and awards made in her honor and through them, she will 
be revered and dearly missed as a leader in our community.
  I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me 
in recognizing Alma Lee Loy. May her dedication to our community serve 
as a reminder of what it means to be a public servant, a good neighbor, 
a mentor, and leader. Her impact and legacy will

[[Page E516]]

be felt in Indian River County for generations to come.

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