[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16452-16453]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      IN TRIBUTE TO NANCY O'KEEFE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 8, 2016

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Nancy O'Keefe who 
is retiring from the Historic Third Ward Association, HTWA, on January 
3, 2017. The HTWA was organized 41 years ago and Nancy has served the 
organization for 21 of those years. She began since 1996 and for 20 of 
those 21 years of service has been the Executive Director of the HTWA. 
During her tenure as Executive Director, the agency has grown 
tremendously; she has gone from supervising 2 employees to over 50.
  In the 20 years since Nancy O'Keefe took charge as executive 
director, she has helped HTWA act as a catalyst to develop the district 
as an innovative, livable and exciting mixed use neighborhood while 
preserving its historic and creative character. The neighborhood has 
emerged with vibrant agencies, businesses, restaurants and 
entertainment venues including: The Broadway Theatre Center with its 
spectacular Cabot Theatre draws audiences into the ward at night, many 
fine restaurants bringing a contemporary vibe and flair to the 
neighborhood, a Congressional District Office, and the annual Third 
Ward Art Festival has joined the roster of Milwaukee's outdoor events. 
However, the construction of the Milwaukee Public Market has been the 
pivotal point in guaranteeing the Third Ward's sustained viability, as 
well as, a new hotel, the Journeyman. However, the HTWA does not want 
to rest on its laurels, Nancy would like to see more public space, more 
people getting off the streetcar and shopping and dining in 
restaurants, as well as, a grocery store and a drug store in the Third 
Ward.
  Nancy O'Keefe is responsible for the many social events which are 
staples of the downtown culture and brought many visitors to the Third 
Ward including: Summer Sizzles, Christmas in the Third Ward, Gallery 
Nights, World's Largest Coffee Break, Shortest & Smallest St. Patrick's 
Day Parades, Sculptures on Ice Competitions, and Small Business 
Saturdays. She has also served on numerous boards including: 
Architectural Review Board, Friends of Lakeshore State Park, and 
Downtown Neighborhood Association.
  I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know and work with Nancy 
O'Keefe. In fact my Congressional District Office is sited in the Third 
Ward. I have had the privilege of joining with Nancy and other 
dignitaries to promote Small Business Saturday and other events in the 
Third Ward. I join with friends in congratulating her on her 
retirement. I wish her much

[[Page 16453]]

success as she transitions into a different phase of her life.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Nancy O'Keefe and celebrate her 
outstanding leadership. Nancy O'Keefe has overseen the Third Ward's 
transformation from a district with growing potential into an urban 
success story. The citizens of the Fourth Congressional District and 
the State of Wisconsin are privileged to have someone of her ability 
and dedicated service working on their behalf for so many years. I am 
honored for these reasons to pay tribute to Nancy O'Keefe.

                          ____________________