[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E588-E589]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              ANN KNOLLMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ED PERLMUTTER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2021

  Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor 
Ann Knollman (born Anna Veronica Materek) who passed away on April 15, 
2021.
  Ann was born on July 14, 1941 in Hoboken, New Jersey. She was raised 
in Hoboken and graduated from the College of Saint Elizabeth in Convent 
Station, New Jersey (now known as Saint Elizabeth University). After 
graduation, Ann taught elementary school at Wallace Elementary School 
in Hoboken. During that time she met Dieter Knollman, and they later 
married in 1969.
  In 1971, Ann and Dieter moved to Arvada, Colorado, starting a whole 
new chapter of their lives. Once in Colorado, Ann quickly became 
entrenched in the community, starting to work for local causes and 
local Democrats. This work became more of a passion and she dedicated 
much of her life to advancing Democratic causes and electing Democrats 
at all levels of government.
  In 1989, Ann became a Legislative Aide to former Representative and 
then later Senator Bill Theibaut. Her dedication and passion for 
Democratic politics only grew deeper.
  At one point or another Ann held just about every Democratic party 
office in Jefferson County. This included Captain-at-large, Financial 
Chair of Congressional District 7, Chair of Jefferson County Democrats, 
Chair of State House District 29, Chair of Senate District 19, Chair of 
Jefferson County Rules Committee, Chair and Cofounder of the Dem Fems, 
and her longest role, CD7 Chair. Ann worked around the clock and was 
known for her tireless efforts knocking on doors to remind people to 
vote and played a critical role in helping elect candidates for the 
districts she chaired.
  One of Ann's proudest achievements, and that of her family, was in 
2006 when she received the prestigious ``Eleanor Award.'' This award is 
presented to an individual who exhibited distinguished and honorable 
service to the community. The award is given in honor of Eleanor 
Roosevelt who believed that all people deserve fair and equitable 
treatment. She also believed it appropriate to challenge injustice and 
often, to do so, to stand up, speak out and create change. These may 
have been Eleanor Roosevelt's thoughts, but they also very much 
described Ann. Ann was also very honored and proud to be chosen as one 
of Colorado's Presidential Electors for three elections.
  I would like to express my appreciation to Ann for her kindness, 
friendship, and support over the many years we worked together. To her 
family, she was and always will be our Auntie Anna.
  Ann was predeceased by her husband, Dieter Knollman, her parents, 
Mary and Vincent Materek, her four brothers, Joseph, Vincent, Adam and 
Theodore Materek, her sister Helen Monaco, and her pups, Plato, Brandy, 
Daisy, and Shadow.
  While our state has been blessed with capable leadership throughout 
its history, few rise to the caliber and reputation of Ann Knollman. I 
am deeply grateful for her lifetime of service to our community and 
send gratitude for her service to the Jefferson County community,

[[Page E589]]

the great State of Colorado, and the United States of America. Ann, 
will be deeply missed.

                          ____________________