Chuck Grassley: “I come to the floor today to honor Anna Mae Weems. Anna Mae was a standout citizen from Waterloo, who passed away in…”

“I come to the floor today to honor Anna Mae Weems. Anna Mae was a standout citizen from Waterloo, who passed away in September after 98 years of life well-lived. My wife Barbara and I met Anna Mae during my first congressional campaign for elected office in 1974. Little did we know, our fast friendship would endure 50 cherished years. We were fortunate to get to know the Weems family. I was reminded recently of a story. Barbara had shared the Senate bean soup recipe with the Weems family, and they enjoyed it together each year. Anna Mae was always helping others and bridging connections. She fostered relationships for me with countless fellow Iowans, local groups, churches, and more. Her passion for civil rights and fierce advocacy against racial discrimination drove Anna Mae's work as a talented organizer. She facilitated a march in Waterloo to honor the 20th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s March on Washington and invited me to join. It was an important event that brought the community together. Anna Mae had marched on the picket line alongside Dr. King during the 1968 sanitation workers' strike in Memphis. At that time, she served as a prominent union leader at Rath Packing Company in Waterloo. She was the perfect person for the job. Change seemed to happen overnight when Anna Mae came around because she refused to rest until people paid attention. She never gave up on a cause she felt was unjust.…”