[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    REMEMBERING KEYSHA BROOKS-COLEY

  Ms. ALSOBROOKS. Mr. President, the State of Maryland has lost a 
giant. Okeysha ``Keysha'' Yashica Brooks-Coley, a Baltimore native, 
made significant contributions to our State and our Nation. Attending 
high school in Severn, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and 
political science from Towson University and a master's in political 
management from George Washington University.
  She began her impactful career here on Capitol Hill as a legislative 
assistant for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur working on healthcare, aging, 
and education policy. She later served in a dual role as a professional 
staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
and Pensions Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging and on the 
majority staff for Senator Barbara Mikulski. Her policy 
responsibilities spanned a wide range of issues, focusing on women's 
health, public health, biomedical research, health disparities, and 
Health and Human Services appropriations.
  After leaving the Hill, Keysha served as vice president of Federal 
advocacy and strategic alliances at the American Cancer Society Cancer 
Action Network. In that role, she led the organization's engagement 
with Congress and even championed implementing the landmark Affordable 
Care Act. She was committed to ensuring everyone had access to care and 
coverage. Keysha's career journey culminated in a leadership position 
at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where she served as vice 
president of advocacy.
  Keysha's professional accolades are numerous, but what she was most 
proud of was her family, including her husband Derrick of more than 20 
years and their four children Julia, Marshall, Henry, and Claira. She 
was a woman of deep faith, who was committed to service, social 
justice, and civic issues.
  I ask that you join me and the residents of Maryland in offering my 
sincerest condolences to Keysha's husband, children, parents, and 
extended family and friends. We are grateful for her lifelong 
commitment to service, and we are so honored she devoted her work to 
caring for each of us.

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