[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 125 (Thursday, July 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E699-E700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. CAROL WEYLAND CONNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2023

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
lasting contributions of Dr. Carol Weyland Conner. Passing away at the 
age of 80, Dr. Conner leaves behind an indelible legacy of service to 
California and the Contra Costa community.
  Dr. Conner was born in 1942, on a Pawnee American Indian Reservation 
in Oklahoma to 2 educators. Her family later moved to Minnesota and to 
Visalia, California, where she graduated as the valedictorian of her 
high school. This was only the start of Dr. Conner's journey in 
education and community service. She studied English literature at the 
University of California, Berkeley; French Literature at Sorbonne in 
Paris; medieval studies at Johns Hopkins University; and earned a Ph.D. 
in clinical psychology from Catholic University.
  Driven by her passion for service, Dr. Conner served her community as 
a Volunteer Counselor with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity and 
as a Clinical Psychologist assisting Walnut Creek residents for over 25 
years. Dr. Conner's commitment to her community and California was also 
expressed through her efforts to develop new models of volunteer 
community service.
  Dr. Conner's innovation left a lasting impact on food rescue 
programming. In 2013, Dr. Conner founded the White Pony Express, an 
organization which provides fresh, high-quality food and clothing to 90 
local nonprofits. This critical nonprofit has evolved into l of the 
largest food rescue programs in California, delivering 18 million meals 
since its founding.
  Dr. Conner's commitment to California was not only expressed through 
her leadership of the White Pony Express, but also in her founding of 
the Following Francis program. Through Following Francis, Dr. Conner 
worked to provide underserved communities with quality clothes, shoes, 
groceries, books, educational tools, and more. As a result of Dr. 
Conner's diligence and dedication, Following Francis now serves Myrtle 
Beach, District of Columbia, Los Angeles, and Bay Area communities.
  In addition to her community leadership, Dr. Conner exemplified the 
spirit of altruism and

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innovation in all areas of her life. Her vital work serving communities 
across America has helped provide the resources and services necessary 
to give children and families the opportunity to thrive. Dr. Conner 
duly received the Jefferson Award from San Francisco CBS television 
station KPIX, the Threads of Hope Award from Diablo Magazine, and was 
named a Hometown Hero by the Contra Costa Times. In 2019, the 
California AARP awarded Dr. Conner with the prestigious Andrus Award 
for Community Service, for her lifelong dedication to serving the 
people of California.
  Dr. Conner's enduring spirit will live on in her stepchildren, 
grandchildren, niece, grandniece, grandnephew, and the communities she 
dedicated her life to serving. I would like to extend my deepest 
sympathies to Dr. Conner's loved ones. I know that they, along with the 
people of Contra Costa County, join me in celebrating her life and 
legacy.

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