[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 76 (Friday, May 6, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E464]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MARY FRANCINE ``MERRI DEE'' DORHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 6, 2022

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the life 
and legacy of an extraordinary woman, journalist, television broadcast 
legend, and philanthropist, Mary Francine ``Merri Dee'' Dorham.
  Merri was born in Chicago, Illinois on October 30, 1936. While she 
grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, she returned to Chicago as a 
teenager where she graduated from Englewood Technical Prep Academy High 
School in 1955. After graduating, Merri attended Xavier University in 
New Orleans, where she was a business administration major. Although 
she had to drop out to support her siblings, her passion for journalism 
would land her at WBEE in 1966 and, two years later, Merri began 
hosting an entertainment program at WCIU on Saturday nights.
  In 1971, Merri's popularity on local television resulted in her 
having her own talk show, ``The Merri Dee Show'' on independent 
station, WSNS-Channel 44. That year, Merri faced a personal tragedy 
when she and a talk show guest were kidnapped from the television 
station and nearly killed. She survived this horrendous incident and 
made it her life's mission to advocate for victims of gun violence. She 
lobbied state and local public officials in passing Illinois' first 
victims' bill of rights, which would become a model for other states.
  In 1972, Merri became an anchor for WGN-TV's 9 p.m. newscast, 
becoming the first African American lead anchor for a news station in a 
major U.S. city. For the next three decades, she would play a pivotal 
role at the station as a senior leader, including serving as WGN's 
Community Relations Director. In this capacity, Merri was a liaison 
between the station and the many social and community organizations 
around town and managed multiple public service campaigns, including 
hosting countless broadcasts of the legendary Bud Billiken Parade, the 
nation's largest and longest running African American parade, annually 
attended by one million onlookers and two thousand parade participants.
  Merri's philanthropic commitment was consistent beyond her 
professional career. She participated in several charities and 
organizations including the Chicago-based program Athletes for a Better 
Education--a charity she founded. She was a yearly fixture as 
television host for the United Negro College Fund's ``Evening of 
Stars'' for nearly two decades, in addition to hosting numerous 
telethons for the Easterseals.
  Throughout the next 40 years, Merri would spotlight her love for 
children through several on-air segments, including ``The Waiting 
Child,'' which focused on children in the foster system in need of an 
adoptive home. Her impact was recognized by then-Illinois Governor Jim 
Edgar, who recognized her with a commendation in 1998 for helping to 
increase state adoptions by more than 50 percent. Her hard work and 
dedication also earned her the Adoption Excellence Award from the U.S. 
Department of Health and Human Services in 2004.
  Merri Dee was a trailblazer in the world of broadcast journalism for 
young Black women paving a path for increasing diversity in newsrooms. 
She was a committed mentor, an author, and devoted leader in her 
community led by her faith, forgiveness, and grace. A recipient of 
countless awards and accolades, she was inducted in the National 
Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame and served as the 
president of Illinois' AARP chapter. She was an incredible leader; a 
compassionate; a kind professional and gloriously gifted friend with a 
broad, welcoming million-dollar smile.
  Her loss is deeply felt in Chicago, the Nation, and across the entire 
world. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, loved ones, and to 
all who were impacted by her wonderful spirit.