[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[House]
[Pages 2328-2329]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MRS. ANN MARIE KILCOURSE WILSON OF JOHNSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Rothfus) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROTHFUS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize Ann Marie 
Kilcourse Wilson of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, an extraordinary woman. 
She passed away on February 19, 2013, at the all-too-young age of 47, 
following a brief and courageous battle with cancer.
  Mrs. Wilson could have been anyone's daughter, anyone's wife, 
anyone's mother, co-worker, employer, or fellow church member. She was 
extraordinary because she excelled in each of these roles. She was a 
woman for all seasons.
  Ann Wilson was born in 1965 in the Bronx of Irish stock, the daughter 
of Thomas and Francis Kilcourse. She graduated from St. John the 
Baptist High School in West Islip, New York, and earned a degree in 
political science from the Catholic University of America. She worked 
in New York City before moving to Johnstown, the hometown of her 
husband, Bill.
  In the mountains of western Pennsylvania, this daughter of the Bronx 
became an adopted daughter of Johnstown, and she has thrived there. She 
brought into the world three beautiful children: Katie, Billy, and 
Clara, whom she and Bill loved dearly. And while she was raising her 
family, Ann pursued her professional calling with excellence and 
determination as the marketing director of The Gleason Agency.
  Her energy was incomparable. The energy of her professional work 
could also be seen in her commitment to public service. In 2005, Ann 
made her first attempt at public office and won a 4-year term on the 
Johnstown City Council. She took the oath of office in January 2006 and 
was the first Republican woman elected to the council. Notably, Ann was 
the top vote-getter on the ticket, beating out seven incumbents. In a 
city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 7-3, she was the top vote-
getter, demonstrating her broad bipartisan appeal.

                              {time}  1010

  She was reelected in 2009 and appointed deputy mayor of Johnstown in 
January of 2010. She also served as executive director and later 
chairman of

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the Cambria County Republican Committee. In 2012, Governor Tom Corbett 
appointed her to the Pennsylvania Commission for Women, and she was 
elected as a delegate to the 2012 Republican National Convention.
  While her energy and professional accomplishments were remarkable, 
the two things that mattered most to her were her family and her 
church. Mrs. Wilson lived for her husband and children, and she rarely 
missed a sporting or school event that involved the kids. She loved 
family time and family vacations, and she was deeply committed to her 
Catholic faith. She was also a strong advocate for the right to life 
and compassion for all.
  In a world and time given to cynicism and doubt, Ann Wilson stands 
out in stark contrast. She is a role model for excellence in family 
life, professional work, and community engagement. Indeed, she was full 
of passion for the things of life that really mattered.
  It is a privilege to stand here today to remember Mrs. Ann Wilson of 
Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Her family's and Johnstown's loss is Heaven's 
gain. May she rest in peace and may her family be comforted in their 
loss. She will be missed not only by her husband and children, but by 
her community.

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