[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF DONNA KELLY-WILLIAMS, RN, PRESIDENT, MASSACHUSETTS NURSES 
                              ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2020

  Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Donna Kelly-
Williams in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the 
American Labor Movement, the Massachusetts Nurses Association and for 
nearly fifty years of dedicated service to her community.
  The daughter of Louise and John Kelly of Somerville, MA, Donna was 
born on September 19, 1954. Her family lived on Marion Street in 
Somerville until they moved to Arlington, MA. Donna and her husband 
Bill bought a house just a few doors down from her parents where they 
reside today.
  Donna attended St. Joseph's High School in Somerville. Subsequently, 
she enrolled at LaSalle College where she earned her nursing degree. 
She then enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, earning 
her undergraduate degree, and then earning a Masters' Degree at 
Cambridge College. In 2007, she attended the Harvard Trade Union Labor 
Program.
  Madam Speaker, Donna took a job at Cambridge Hospital and observed a 
strike by a union at the hospital. She called her father and he 
instructed her to come home immediately and not cross the picket line. 
This incident sparked her fire for collective bargaining, workers' 
rights and fair representation.
  Donna accepted a nursing position at Cambridge Hospital, becoming the 
President of the Cambridge Hospital MNA Bargaining Committee. Not 
surprisingly, she rose to the position of Vice-President of the MNA, 
and for the past twelve years has been President of the MNA.
  During her tenure as MNA President, Donna has worked ferociously to 
represent the nurses and health care professionals in this state. She 
has accomplished much: legislation banning mandatory overtime was 
passed as well as legislation limiting the number of patients assigned 
to ICU nurses across the Commonwealth.
  Throughout this COVID 19 pandemic, Donna has fought for PPE for 
healthcare professionals, for legislation to limit occupational 
exposure to COVID 19, and to eliminate the re-use of n95 masks which 
endangers the safety of those who use them. She has worked to secure 
housing for nurses who are fearful of carrying the virus home, and for 
counseling for those who are in need.
  Madam Speaker, Donna is known for her kind smile, quick sense of 
humor, her relentless energy when fighting for her nurses and her 
affection for Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee. She has had the good fortune 
to be married to Bill for 42 years. They are the proud parents of four 
children and three grandchildren.
  It is my distinct honor to join with Donna Kelly-Williams' family, 
friends, and contemporaries to thank her for her service to the 
American Labor Movement, and for her dedication to nurses and patients 
across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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