Floor SpeechCeremonial2025-05-21

HONORING TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD

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Context

On 2025-05-21, Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD" in the House.

Full Text

HONORING TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E463] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD ______ HON. ILHAN OMAR of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and Publisher at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder--our state's oldest Black-owned newspaper. In 2025, Ms. Williams-Dillard was inducted into the esteemed Half- Century Club by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. This prestigious honor celebrates her 50-plus years of dedication to the newspaper industry, highlighting her unwavering commitment to the legacy of the Spokesman-Recorder and her vital role in amplifying Black voices in media. Ms. Williams-Dillard's lifelong journey in journalism started at age eight when she began working after school to print addresses at the Spokesman-Recorder, her family's newspaper. It was here that she first learned the importance of hard work, responsibility, and the value of earning a living--lessons that would become the foundation of her career. Over the next decades, Ms. Williams-Dillard performed various roles at the newspaper including as a receptionist, in billing and advertising, and as office manager. Her path to becoming the president and CEO was not straightforward, and her journey reflects her versatility, adaptability, and a deep commitment to both personal and professional growth. In 2001, she was named President and CEO of the newspaper, and, in 2007, Ms. Williams-Dillard became its proud owner. Under her leadership, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has exemplified excellence, never missing a deadline, a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and steadfast dedication to journalistic integrity. Ms. Williams-Dillard's leadership is rooted in the strong foundation laid by her predecessors--one built on respect, deep ties to the African American community, and a steadfast commitment to integrity with readers. She has not only maintained these values but has expanded them, ensuring the paper remains a vital and respected voice for historically marginalized communities and beyond. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Williams-Dillard today for her extraordinary contributions to our community, and for her recent honor from the Minnesota Newspaper Association. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Williams Dillard--and the whole Spokesman-Recorder team--on this remarkable achievement. ____________________

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HONORING TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E463] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING TRACEY WILLIAMS-DILLARD ______ HON. ILHAN OMAR of minnesota in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 21, 2025 Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and Publisher at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder--our state's oldest Black-owned newspaper. In 2025, Ms. Williams-Dillard was inducted into the esteemed Half- Century Club by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. This prestigious honor celebrates her 50-plus years of dedication to the newspaper industry, highlighting her unwavering commitment to the legacy of the Spokesman-Recorder and her vital role in amplifying Black voices in media. Ms. Williams-Dillard's lifelong journey in journalism started at age eight when she began working after school to print addresses at the Spokesman-Recorder, her family's newspaper. It was here that she first learned the importance of hard work, responsibility, and the value of earning a living--lessons that would become the foundation of her career. Over the next decades, Ms. Williams-Dillard performed various roles at the newspaper including as a receptionist, in billing and advertising, and as office manager. Her path to becoming the president and CEO was not straightforward, and her journey reflects her versatility, adaptability, and a deep commitment to both personal and professional growth. In 2001, she was named President and CEO of the newspaper, and, in 2007, Ms. Williams-Dillard became its proud owner. Under her leadership, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder has exemplified excellence, never missing a deadline, a testament to her meticulous attention to detail and steadfast dedication to journalistic integrity. Ms. Williams-Dillard's leadership is rooted in the strong foundation laid by her predecessors--one built on respect, deep ties to the African American community, and a steadfast commitment to integrity with readers. She has not only maintained these values but has expanded them, ensuring the paper remains a vital and respected voice for historically marginalized communities and beyond. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Williams-Dillard today for her extraordinary contributions to our community, and for her recent honor from the Minnesota Newspaper Association. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Ms. Williams Dillard--and the whole Spokesman-Recorder team--on this remarkable achievement. ____________________