[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 61 (Monday, April 10, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E300-E301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LOIS A. O'KEEFE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 10, 2023

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and service of Lois A. O'Keefe, a public servant, a trailblazer 
for working mothers, and one of my dearest friends. It saddens me to 
say that Lois passed peacefully in the early morning of Wednesday, 
December 21, 2022.
  I had the pleasure of knowing Lois for close to 30 years before 
starting my legislative career in the Wisconsin State Assembly. Lois 
was involved in the Wisconsin political scene,

[[Page E301]]

as a volunteer, activist, and fighter committed to giving a voice to 
the voiceless. Lois worked tirelessly for decades with dedication and 
passion, which still inspires me to this day.
  As a Congressional Staffer, she served under two U.S. Senators, 
Senators William Proxmire, and Herb Kohl, and eventually served the 
American people in my office. She served nearly 10 years on my staff as 
a caseworker and then as District Director. Lois' contribution to the 
Milwaukee community as well as her legacy will continue to inspire 
future generations of public servants.
  Lois' true passion was serving working-class Americans and 
underinvested youths. She served the labor movement as the Regional 
Representative of the Secretary of Labor for the Midwest Region in 
Chicago. During the Clinton Administration, she served under 
Secretaries Robert Reich and Alexis Herman to help provide better 
living conditions for Americans. Most importantly she served as a union 
organizer for the Service Employees Union representing workers who 
cared for the elderly. She ran a non-profit called REACH, a youth 
organization for underprivileged kids. She also worked with the 
Milwaukee Job Corps to start an internship program in my district 
office. Lois cared about the Americans that are often too forgotten 
about.
  Lois lived the reality that so many women with careers juggling work 
and childcare issues face. She then returned to school with four 
children under the age of 14 and earned both a BA in Political Science 
and an MA in Industrial and Labor Relations. Lois understood the 
struggle of being a working-class mother and committed her life to 
helping others who faced similar struggles.
  Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I am honored to pay tribute to Lois 
O'Keefe. She has helped transform the lives of so many people, 
including my constituents. The people of the 4th Congressional 
District, the State of Wisconsin, and the United States thank her for 
her commitment to service.

                          ____________________