[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E233]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A DEDICATED BALTIMOREAN PUBLIC SERVANT, 
                        MRS. ELLA HILLEN PIERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KWEISI MFUME

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 2026

  Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce, a devoted civil servant who dedicated herself 
to the City of Baltimore and its people. Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce was a 
long-time employee and respected leader in Baltimore's Bureau of 
Purchases, and her integrity and professionalism in her many roles will 
not soon be forgotten. A symbol of resilience and a beloved mentor to 
many of her colleagues, Mrs. Pierce passed away on January 25, 2026, at 
the age of 98. She will be deeply missed by all those who had the 
privilege of knowing and working alongside her.
  Mrs. Pierce was a bright and inquisitive child, one of five Hillen 
siblings who affectionately referred to themselves as the ``Fab Five.'' 
Following her graduation from high school, she stayed close to her 
Baltimore roots and pursued a higher education at Catonsville Community 
College, Howard University, Morgan State College (now Morgan State 
University), and Johns Hopkins University.
  Mrs. Pierce used the skills and qualifications that she gained 
through her schooling to pursue a barrier-breaking career in public 
procurement. She began her professional journey as a Purchasing Agent 
at Morgan State, remaining there for 19 years before becoming the first 
African American hired as a Buyer in Baltimore's Bureau of Purchases. 
There, she quickly distinguished herself through her confidence, 
professionalism, and work ethic, earning the admiration of her 
colleagues. Rising steadily through the ranks, she ultimately made 
history in 1987 as the first woman and the first African American to 
serve as Baltimore City's Purchasing Agent.
  In that same year, Mrs. Pierce earned the first of many accolades 
from her peers in the public procurement industry when she was named 
the ``Buyer of the Year'' by the Maryland Public Purchasing 
Association. In 1999, she earned the National Institute of Government 
Purchasing's (NIGP) prestigious Albert M. Hall Award, and just 3 years 
later she was named a Fellow of NIGP. In 2020, at the end of a long and 
distinguished career, she received NIGP's Inclusion and Diversity 
Award. The following year, the award was renamed the Ella Pierce Award 
in her honor, a fitting tribute to her trailblazing career and its 
lasting impact.
  Though her professional accomplishments were numerous, Mrs. Pierce 
was also deeply devoted to her family and her community. While she had 
no children of her own, close friends and loved ones were known to call 
her ``Mom,'' in recognition of her warmth, generosity, and compassion. 
She loved to travel and took great joy in sharing those experiences 
with the people she loved.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and 
legacy of this dedicated public servant. Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce was a 
pillar of her community, and she is deeply missed by all those she 
leaves behind. I offer my sincerest condolences to her nieces and 
nephews, as well as to her extended family, friends, colleagues, and 
all those who had the privilege of knowing her.

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