[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 13, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MAYOR IRMA ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 13, 2024

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, 
Congresswoman Barbara Lee and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, to honor the 
life and legacy of Mayor Irma Anderson, a trailblazing leader within 
Contra Costa County and devout public servant. Mayor Anderson, who 
passed away at the age of 93, leaves behind an indelible legacy as a 
mayor, nurse, and community advocate.
  Born and raised in Boston, Mayor Anderson's passion for public 
service began at a young age. After serving as Student Body President 
and Valedictorian of her high school, she became one of the first Black 
students to attend and graduate from Cornell School of Nursing. In 
1959, Mayor Anderson moved to Richmond, California with her husband, 
Reverend Booker T. Anderson, Jr., beginning a lifelong residency in the 
Contra Costa County community.
  Fueled by her passion for service and sincere belief in caring for 
those around her, Mayor Anderson worked diligently for the Contra Costa 
County Health Department for 20 years. She eventually became the first 
Black Assistant Director and Director of Public Health Nursing in 
Contra Costa County, and her unwavering leadership undeniably improved 
her community.
  Following her extensive career in public health, Mayor Anderson's 
commitment to service led her to run for Richmond City Council. In 
1993, she became the first Black woman to serve as a Richmond City 
Council Member. After two successful terms on the Richmond City 
Council, Mayor Anderson made history yet again in 2001, when she became 
the first Black woman to be elected mayor of a major California city.
  Mayor Anderson's career in public service was characterized by her 
spirit for advocacy and commitment to giving a voice to the 
unrepresented. She developed a historic partnership with the West 
Contra Costa Unified School District, founding Kids! First, which 
cultivates and expands after-school programs throughout Richmond. In 
addition, she held the ``Richmond Rises Above Violence Conference,'' 
which galvanized Richmond's public health approach to violence 
prevention. Subsequently, Richmond created an Office of Violence 
Prevention, later the Office of Neighborhood Safety, a nationally 
recognized violence intervention strategy.
  Mayor Anderson's spirit of innovation was expressed both through her 
critical leadership and vital work as Metropolitan Transportation 
Committee Commissioner. She spearheaded efforts to advance multiple 
bridge rehabilitation and expansion projects, helping ensure Contra 
Costa County's roads were safe and secure. During her tenure as Mayor 
and Commissioner, Mayor Anderson presided over the transformation of 
downtown Richmond into a model of transit-oriented development.
  Mayor Anderson will be remembered for her decades of service to 
Contra Costa County and her genuine spirit of kindness and compassion. 
She impacted the lives of countless community members and her steadfast 
leadership, constant smile, and patient mentorship brought comfort to 
all who knew her. Mayor Anderson's enduring spirit will live on in her 
son and the community she dedicated her life to serving. We would like 
to extend our deepest sympathies to Mayor Anderson's loved ones. We 
know they and the people of Contra Costa County will join us in 
celebrating her life and legacy.

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