[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12392]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  IN TRIBUTE TO ERIC ``VON'' BOARDLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2016

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Eric Von Boardley, known 
to everyone by his broadcast name Eric Von. Eric passed away on 
September 8, 2016, at the age of 58, leaving behind his wife Faithe 
Colas, daughters Erica Boardley and Paige Colas, a brother and sister, 
numerous other family members and many friends to mourn his passing.
  Eric was a radio and television broadcaster, veteran journalist and 
community advocate. However, he was most widely recognized and revered 
as a radio personality. He began his career in his hometown of 
Washington, D.C., as the business manager for Radio One. He eventually 
settled in Milwaukee, WI where he remained for over 25 years; beginning 
at WMCS 1290 AM and ended his radio career at WNOV 860 AM. He created 
an online magazine in 2014 whose goal was to improve the health of 
black men, entitled Brain, Brawn & Body. Eric was a frequent panelist 
on Wisconsin Public Television's ``Interchange''; served as co-host of 
``Black Nouveau'' from 1998 to 2000, another show on Public Television; 
and was a special assignment reporter and co-host of ``It's Your 
Vote''. Most recently, Eric was a leader in Precious Lives, a media-led 
effort to look at the causes and consequences of gun violence on 
Milwaukee youth. Eric was involved in public events and the live on-
the-air community discussions he hosted were widely listened to with 
huge public participation. He did his research and was informed; guests 
had to be fully prepared before going on his show. Eric was so much 
more than a radio host and personality, he was a Milwaukee icon who was 
completely enmeshed in the issues impacting the community, especially 
Milwaukee's African-American community.
  I have had the great privilege of working with Eric for his entire 
tenure in Milwaukee; beginning while I served in the Wisconsin State 
Assembly and extending to my years in Congress. In fact, I was a 
regular guest on his radio program while in Congress when he hosted his 
show on 1290 AM. For many years, he served as the Master of Ceremonies 
at the yearly issue forum I host at the Congressional Black Caucus 
Annual Legislative Caucus. Eric was also the Master of Ceremonies at my 
60th Birthday celebration where he was featured along with Mary Wells 
of the Supremes.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mr. Eric Von Boardley and proud 
to have called him friend. He leaves big shoes to fill for the 
broadcast community in Milwaukee. He was creative and a true 
trailblazer; I will truly miss this amazing man and his wonderful 
banter and commentary. The citizens of the Fourth Congressional 
District and the State of Wisconsin have benefited tremendously from 
his dedicated service. I am honored for these reasons to pay tribute to 
Eric ``Von'' Boardley.

                          ____________________