REMEMBERING KEYSHA BROOKS-COLEY

On 2025-03-26, Senator Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING KEYSHA BROOKS-COLEY" in the Senate. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered foreign policy, crime and justice. It referenced legislation: S1867.

REMEMBERING KEYSHA BROOKS-COLEY

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)] [Senate] [Page S1867] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING KEYSHA BROOKS-COLEY Ms. ALSOBROOKS. Mr. President, the State of Maryland has lost a giant. Okeysha ``Keysha'' Yashica Brooks-Coley, a Baltimore native, made significant contributions to our State and our Nation. Attending high school in Severn, she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and political science from Towson University and a master's in political management from George Washington University. She began her impactful career here on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant for Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur working on healthcare, aging, and education policy. She later served in a dual role as a professional staff member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging and on the majority staff for Senator Barbara Mikulski. Her policy responsibilities spanned a wide range of issues, focusing on women's health, public health, biomedical research, health disparities, and Health and Human Services appropriations. After leaving the Hill, Keysha served as vice president of Federal advocacy and strategic alliances at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. In that role, she led the organization's engagement with Congress and even championed implementing the landmark Affordable Care Act. She was committed to ensuring everyone had access to care and coverage. Keysha's career journey culminated in a leadership position at the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, where she served as vice president of advocacy. Keysha's professional accolades are numerous, but what she was most proud of was her family, including her husband Derrick of more than 20 years and their four children Julia, Marshall, Henry, and Claira. She was a woman of deep faith, who was committed to service, social justice, and civic issues. I ask that you join me and the residents of Maryland in offering my sincerest condolences to Keysha's husband, children, parents, and extended family and friends. We are grateful for her lifelong commitment to service, and we are so honored she devoted her work to caring for each of us. ____________________