The publication is reproduced in full below:
CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICE OF BOOTSIE NEAL
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HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 28, 2021
Mr. TURNER. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the life of Bootsie Neal, a remarkable woman and public servant from my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, who passed away on January 24, 2021.
Bootsie Neal was one of my dearest friends for over 25 years. Bootsie was born on September 9, 1952 in Newbern, Alabama and grew up in Buffalo, New York. She earned her bachelor's degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She moved to Dayton in 1974, where she spent the rest of her life, and earned a master's degree in postgraduate education at the University of Dayton.
In 1991, Bootsie became the first African American woman to be elected to the Dayton City Commission, on which she served until 2004. Later in life, she inspired and became a role model for other women committed to public service and looking to run for office.
I had the privilege of working with Bootsie while I was Mayor of Dayton. Together, we worked to turn the city around. We shared a mutual interest in urban revitalization and redevelopment. We implemented a comprehensive strategic plan that laid the foundation for the economic revival of the urban core of our region. Our focus was rebuilding the business district with jobs, housing, and amenities, and restoring and revitalizing our neighborhoods.
Without Bootsie's leadership and partnership, we would not have balanced the city's budget for eight consecutive years, built the Dayton Dragons baseball stadium, the Schuster Center, and RiverScape MetroPark, All of these projects helped contribute to the revitalization and improvement of our city. Today, there are more people living, working, and enjoying downtown Dayton than there were twenty years ago.
Bootsie will be deeply missed by all of us who knew and loved her. I valued her wisdom and treasured her friendship. Bootsie's legacy of service through her sorority Delta Sigma Theta, as well as to the entire Dayton community, will forever be cherished. On behalf of all those whose lives were touched by Bootsie's friendship and community service, I offer her family and friends my heartfelt condolences.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 17
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