The following tribute to Willa J. Hawkins was read into the Congressional record by the late Congressman Dale E. Kildee on February 12, 1977. Hawkins, a beloved community advocate and former Commissioner of District 2 of Genesee County, passed away in 2023.

Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, it is truly an honor to rise before you today to pay tribute to an individual who exemplifies the very best in civic pride and responsibility, and who has shown how gifted a woman she is by her actions and spirit. On Saturday, February 15, 1997, a luncheon will be held to honor Willa Junior Hawkins for her distinguished service to the citizens of Flint, MI, in her roles as educator, administrator, activist, and community leader.

Willa Hawkins, a resident of Flint, MI since the age of 6, graduated from Northern High School and received degrees from Michigan State University and Eastern Michigan University in the field of education. She took those degrees and put them to use as a teacher in the Flint Public School system for 15 years, and as a principal for 17 years.

In addition to helping cultivate our most precious natural resource—our Nation’s children—Mrs. Hawkins developed an interest in politics, beginning in the 1960s with her participation in the civil rights march in Washington, DC. She continued her involvement by working on various campaigns, including serving as campaign manager for 12 years for County Commissioner Sylvester Broome. Upon Commissioner Broome’s death in 1991, Ms. Hawkins made the transition from campaigner to candidate as she was appointed commissioner and was later elected to the position, holding it until December 21, 1996.

Because of Ms. Hawkins’ stellar reputation as a writer, planner, and organizer, she has served on numerous Genesee County boards, including Community Mental Health, Community Action Agency, and the Parks and Recreation Commission. She has also served with the Valley Area Agency on Aging, New Paths, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, and the Transition House board of directors.

Mr. Speaker, it is with a tremendous amount of pride that I appear before you today to recognize my colleague, my constituent, and my friend, Willa J. Hawkins. In the time I have known her, she has been a person who cannot help but make a lasting impact on everyone she comes in contact with. I ask you, Mr. Speaker, and my fellow members of the 105th Congress to join me in recognizing Mrs. Willa J. Hawkins.