[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 175 (Monday, November 14, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6665-S6666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING ADA MARKITA FISHER

 Mr. TILLIS. Mr. President, I rise today to remember a friend 
and a great North Carolinian, Ada Markita Fisher, who unexpectedly died 
on October 7, 2022. Ada was 74 years old and only a few weeks away from 
her 75th birthday.
  As a young African-American woman, she was a trailblazer. After 
completing a degree in biology at the University of North Carolina at 
Greensboro--UNCG--she went on to become the first Black female to earn 
a medical degree at the University of Wisconsin's School of Medicine 
and Public Health. She was also the first Black UNCG alumna to complete 
a medical degree. Additionally, she completed her masters in public 
health at Johns Hopkins University's School of Hygiene and Public 
Health in 1981.
  After completing her medical degree, Ada chose to return to North 
Carolina to provide medical care to an underserved community and lead 
programs for victims of substance abuse. She spent some of her career 
in the private sector, but most of her life was dedicated to helping 
people who were struggling and ultimately making a positive difference 
in her community.

[[Page S6666]]

  I met Ada 15 years ago when I began my political service in the North 
Carolina General Assembly. From the first time I met her, I was 
inspired by her courage, focus, and plain talk. She was a lifelong 
Republican. She was dedicated to the party of Abraham Lincoln, and she 
did not hesitate to challenge anyone from across the political spectrum 
who threatened the principles of personal liberty, individual 
responsibility, and social justice.
  Although I met Ada after she retired, she never seemed to slow down. 
She traveled across the State advocating for common sense 
``prescriptions'' to the challenges we faced. She became the first 
African-American to be elected Republican National Committee--RNC--
committeewoman for North Carolina. Ada was known for her letters. Some 
were focused on policies she was promoting, and others were focused on 
challenging policies she did not think were helpful. Whether or not you 
agreed with her opinion, you had to respect the thoughtfulness and the 
work she put into them.
  When Ada wasn't working on public policy, she was focused on her 
family. Ada never married, but she adopted two sons who blessed her 
with two grandchildren. She also had three siblings and a host of 
nieces, nephews, and cousins. She adored her family, and they adored 
her.
  I attended Ada's funeral last month, and I was honored to speak at 
her memorial service. While I was considering what I should say, it 
occurred to me that I had never written a letter to Ada, so I decided 
to write a letter to her and deliver it at the memorial. I wished that 
I had sent it long before her passing, but I hope she enjoys it 
nonetheless as she reads it in heaven.

  Dear Ada, I'm sorry I am just now sending you this letter, but I hope 
it finds you well in the Kingdom of Heaven. I regret that I haven't had 
the opportunity to see you recently, but I am glad that my last memory 
of you was giving you a hug when we were together. Had I known it was 
to be the last time I would see you, I would have hugged you a little 
longer.
  After I received the sad news of your passing, I reflected on the 
times we spent together, and it gave me some comfort as I grieved your 
loss. I knew you as a staunch advocate for people who are struggling, 
for diversity, for personal responsibility, and for individual freedom. 
I remember so many times when you challenged a crowd to think 
differently. You didn't look for applause lines, you looked for 
opportunities to make a point and to make a difference. You didn't 
hesitate to get people out of their comfort zone by saying what needed 
to be said, and you gained many followers and admirers along the way.
  I am embarrassed to admit that I only knew a small part of your work 
since the time we met 15 years ago, and I did not fully comprehend your 
life's work with helping others. I've studied you more since your 
passing Ada, and you are truly even more remarkable than I imagined.
  As a young African American woman, you excelled in academics--a 
medical degree and a master's degree in public health. You could have 
taken a life-long path to personal enrichment, but you chose to return 
home to North Carolina to set up a rural health clinic and programs to 
help people struggling with substance abuse. You helped veterans.
  You studied education and became a certified teacher in math and 
science. You served in what I believe is the most difficult political 
position on earth--a local school board. Man, I wish they were 
televised in those days. I'm sure it would have been a sight to see! 
You understood that education is the surest path to freedom, and you 
worked hard to ensure that every child (including your two sons) had an 
opportunity to pursue that path.
  The truth is, Ada, you have done so much for so many, and you've set 
a high bar for the rest of us. I am saddened that you left this earthy 
world far too soon because I know you had so many more things you would 
do to make it a better place. But thank you for everything you did Ada, 
and thank you for the blessing of your friendship.
  Now that you've had a few weeks in the Kingdom of Heaven, I hope 
you've found time to rest. You deserve it, Ada. Know that we are 
praying for you and that we love you, and we will continue to be 
inspired by your life's work.
  With Love and Admiration, Thom T.

                          ____________________