[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14728-14729]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MS. DEBORAH WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 29, 2016

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and invaluable career of Ms. Deborah Hudson-Williams, who passed away 
on November 18, 2016.
  Deborah was born on September 15, 1952 in Oakland California, to 
Girver and Gertrude Hudson, and grew up in a large working-class family 
which her father supported through his career as an electrician at 
General Electric. Her father was also active with the United Auto 
Workers (UAW), and his work would inspire her own career, when she 
followed him into working for the UAW.
  Ms. Williams was incredibly passionate about the rights of workers, 
and she was very active in the UAW, including many years when she 
worked at the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., (NUMMI) plant in 
Fremont, California. She also served as the chairperson for the UAW's 
Political Action Committee in the Bay Area, which enabled her to 
support candidates and policies that worked to improve the quality of 
life for middle-class families like her own.
  In addition to working to support the men and women of her union, Ms. 
Williams was politically active in many areas, including working with 
the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's 
Clubs (NANBPWC), the A. Philip Randolph Organization, the NAACP, and 
the Oakland East Bay Democratic Club.
  She is survived by many siblings, including four brothers: Anthony 
Hudson (Linda) Las Vegas, NV, Girver Hudson Jr. (Linda) California, 
Michael Hudson (Delores) Oakland, Mark Hudson, Oakland; and seven 
sisters, Brenda Brooks, Oakland, Francine Wesley (Noel) San Pablo, 
Cheryl Moore, Oakland, Patricia Henry (Clarence) Oakland, Mada Hudson, 
Oakland, Beverly Hudson, Pittsburg, Karen Cox (Mobil), Oakland.
  On a personal note, Debbie was a loyal supporter whose wise counsel I 
always appreciated and who always came through for me right on time, 
every time. Most importantly, she was a dear friend who I will deeply 
miss.
  On behalf on California's 13th Congressional District, I would like 
to offer my sincerest condolences to her family, friends, and the 
community she cared so much about. Ms. Williams' legacy as a strong 
advocate for working men and women will be remembered and honored 
throughout the Bay Area.

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