[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDING MR. T. WILLARD FAIR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, from the 24th District of the 
great state of Florida, I rise today to recognize and commend Mr. T. 
Willard Fair, a visionary and community activist, whose distinguished 
and unprecedented leadership as President and CEO of the Urban League 
of Greater Miami for fifty years broke down racial and discriminatory 
barriers in employment, education, and housing for African-Americans. 
His leadership transformed the climate of exclusion in South Florida in 
the 1960s and ushered in new era of inclusion and social change. I 
include in the Record the following proclamation:

       Whereas, Mr. Fair has dedicated his professional career to 
     promoting the interest and well-being of the African-American 
     community, and as president and CEO of the Urban League of 
     Greater Miami lead campaigns that successfully integrated 
     corporations and businesses, and public and private volunteer 
     organizations, in Miami, desegregated public housing in Dade 
     County, and worked to make affordable housing available 
     through countless construction and rehabilitation projects;
       Whereas, Mr. Fair is deeply committed to solving complex 
     problems, ranging from unemployment to illiteracy, that 
     plague our community and offering solutions through expert 
     ana]ysis, publications in the Miami Herald, Miami Magazine, 
     and Tropic Magazine, and through interviews with 60 Minutes, 
     the Tom Brokaw Show, and Ebony Magazine;
       Whereas, Mr. Fair has demonstrated superior capabilities in 
     community development while providing dynamic leadership over 
     the Urban League of Greater Miami, which strives to improve 
     the lives of individuals and families through employment, 
     childcare, senior citizen services, housing, economic 
     development, training, community service, political advocacy, 
     and education;
       Whereas, Mr. Fair co-founded Florida's first charter 
     school, and has served as an adjunct professor at the Atlanta 
     University School of Social Work, Bethune-Cookman University, 
     Florida International University, and the National Urban 
     League's Whitney M. Young, Jr. Center for Urban Leadership;
       Whereas, Mr. Fair's excellence in education, leadership, 
     and service has been recognized by various organizations 
     through awards, accolades, and appointments, including former 
     Secretary of State Colin Powell's Advisory Committee on 
     Cultural Affairs, President Obama's Commission on White House 
     Fellowships--Miami Regional Selection Panel, the United 
     States' Advisory Committee on Cultural Affairs, and a tenure 
     as past chairperson of the Florida State Board of Education; 
     and
       Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Frederica S. Wilson, 
     a Member of the United States House of Representatives, 
     representing the 24th Congressional District of Florida, 
     commend Mr. T. Willard Fair for his unwavering commitment and 
     faithful service to our community, state and country, and the 
     Urban League of Greater Miami.

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