[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 110 (Thursday, July 2, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E648-E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MARY ROSS CUNNINGHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 2, 2026

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and remember a 
remarkable community leader and a dear personal friend, Dr, Mary Ross 
Cunningham.
  Mary was a force of nature--larger than life, with the biggest of 
hearts and the most indomitable spirit. For more than two decades in 
her hometown of Waukegan, Illinois, and across Lake County, she served 
her community with dignity and grace, fiercely advocating for those she 
represented.
  Born on November 19, 1945, in rural Alabama, Mary Ross was one of 22 
children. She later moved to Chicago and then to Waukegan with her 
husband, Samuel Davis Cunningham, to build a life and raise their 
family.
  Following the tragic murder of her husband in 1968, Mary became the 
sole provider for their four children--Emerson, Sam, Jackie, and the 
late Alvin. Through determination, faith, and perseverance, she 
instilled in her family the values of education, service, and respect. 
Her own experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to helping others 
overcome hardship with dignity and hope.
  Before entering elected office, Dr. Cunningham devoted nearly three 
decades to serving veterans at the Veterans Administration Hospital in 
North Chicago. She also worked extensively with the Waukegan Housing 
Authority, Community Action Partnership, and PADS Lake County, becoming 
a tireless advocate for affordable housing, economic opportunity, and 
individuals experiencing homelessness.
  In 2002, Dr. Cunningham was elected to represent District 9 on the 
Lake County Board, serving portions of Waukeean and North Chicago. In 
2018, she made history as the first Black woman to serve in Board 
leadership when she was elected Vice Chair, a position she held with 
distinction until her untimely passing.
  Throughout her tenure, Mary championed equitable access to county 
services, public health, veterans services, workforce development, and 
criminal justice initiatives. She was instrumental in establishing 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a fixed county holiday for employees and 
worked to expand opportunities for residents through numerous county 
and national leadership roles.
  As a member of the Lake County Forest Preserves Board, Dr. Cunningham 
believed that everyone should feel welcome in the county's natural 
spaces. She was especially devoted to the annual Gospelfest 
celebration, helping it grow into a beloved tradition that brought 
people together through music.
  Mary never lost sight of the people she served. She encouraged others 
to remember why they sought public office. Beyond her public 
accomplishments, she was known for her warmth, generosity, elegant 
style, and vibrant spirit. Above all, she took great pride in her 
children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose accomplishments 
reflected the values she worked to instill.
  Dr. Mary Ross Cunningham leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. I 
will miss her as a colleague and as a mentor, but most of all as a 
friend. I send my deepest condolences to the entire Cunningham family 
and to the community mourning this great loss. May her memory forever 
be a blessing.

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