[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 21, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LATE MRS. GWENDOLYN MAE HEASTIE WELTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 21, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor the late Mrs. Gwendolyn Mae Heastie Welters, an exceptional woman 
who has left an enduring legacy of compassion, enthusiasm, and service 
in her community.
  Mrs. Welters approached life with a community-oriented focus and a 
generous spirit. As an educator and an administrator with Miami-Dade 
County Schools, for 40 years, she touched the lives of hundreds of 
students and advocated tirelessly to improve Miami-Dade County's 
educational system and provide access to a quality education.
  As entrepreneurs, Mrs. Welters and her late husband Warren Welters 
provided employment opportunities for high school students in Miami's 
Brownsville community by hiring them at their family-owned business, 
Brownsville Pharmacy. She also encouraged the youth to give back to 
their communities through service.
  Often referred to as a petite ``little giant,'' her kind heart and 
passion for service was limitless and often recognized by the many 
organizations she was affiliated with such as Alpha Kappa Alpha 
Sorority, Incorporated, where she was a Golden Soror, Life Member, and 
past president of Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter in Miami. Mrs. Welters was a 
Platinum member of The Links, Incorporated, served as National Director 
of International Trends and Services, and was a ``Links of Gold'' 
Honoree for the Greater Miami Chapter in 2005. She was also an active 
member of the Black Archives History and Research Foundation, Inc., and 
a recipient of the Miami-Dade County Woman of Impact Award (2006) and 
the Leroy Thompson Pioneer Award by the Miami-Dade Chapter of NAACP 
(2007).
  Born April 30, 1924, Mrs. Welters grew up in the historic and 
culturally rich Overtown community in Miami. She earned a B.S. degree 
in Business Education from Florida A&M University, a master's degree 
from Columbia University Teachers Co]lege in New York City, and 
completed further graduate work at the University of Miami and Barry 
University.
  Please join me in honoring Mrs. Gwendolyn Mae Heastie Welters, 
posthumously, for her commitment, dedication and service to our 
community.

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