[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 221 (Monday, December 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                     REMEMBRANCE OF ROSEMARY HOLLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 27, 2021

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of 
Rosemary Holley, a lifelong advocate for the poor and needy, a 
community leader, a trailblazer, and a multiple tenure Chairperson of 
the Board of Commissioners for Milwaukee's Social Development 
Commission (SDC). It saddens me to say that Mrs. Holley passed away on 
December 7, 2021, at the age of 95.
  The Social Development Commission is a community action agency with 
the sole purpose of advocating for and assisting Milwaukee County 
residents living in poverty. SDC is a citizen led coalition designed to 
give people in poverty the organizing power to influence policies that 
will directly affect them. The members of SDC are not politicians or 
bureaucrats--they are everyday citizens that care deeply about their 
communities and want to have their voices heard. One-third of the 
governing board members live in poverty. The SDC equips its members to 
affect meaningful change in their own lives.
  None of this would have been possible without the hard work and self-
sacrifice of Mrs. Rosemary Holley.
  Mrs. Holley has been with SDC since its creation. She first served on 
the Head Start Parent Council and was elected to the SDC's Board of 
Commissioners. Her passion and leadership were soon recognized by all 
and in 1996, she was elected as the Chairperson of the SDC's Board of 
Commissioners. She was reelected as the Chairperson in 1998 and served 
until 1999.
  Mrs. Holley stepped away from SDC in 1999 while in her mid-70s. Most 
people would have then retired, but Mrs. Holley continued to serve the 
Fourth Congressional District on a volunteer basis. She coached young 
leaders with her wisdom and experience, all while continuing to serve 
the very neighbors who inspired her in the first place. In 2013, she 
rejoined SDC's Board to serve as Governance Technical Assistance 
Resource Provider, using her knowledge and experience on the SDC Board 
to provide advice on matters related to Board Governance. SDC and the 
Milwaukee Community are indebted to Mrs. Holley for her lifelong, 
tireless service.
  Mrs. Holley was a lifelong advocate for the poor and needy. She had 
multiple opportunities to work in more financially rewarding positions 
but found her purpose in helping those who were not able to help 
themselves. Mrs. Holley was the epitome of public service and 
altruism--to say Rosemary Holley has been a beacon of light to this 
community is not an exaggeration. Her altruistic spirit and love for 
others are an inspiration of what we all should strive for in our 
service to the public.
  The citizens of the Fourth Congressional District, the State of 
Wisconsin and the Nation have benefited tremendously from her expansive 
service. As a former employee of the SDC and as both a Congresswoman 
and a mentee of Mrs. Rosemary Holley, I am deeply grateful for her 
service and impact on our community. I am honored for these reasons to 
pay tribute to Rosemary Holley. May she Rest in Peace.