HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A DEDICATED BALTIMOREAN PUBLIC SERVANT, MRS. ELLA HILLEN PIERCE

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A DEDICATED BALTIMOREAN PUBLIC SERVANT, MRS. ELLA HILLEN PIERCE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E233] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF A DEDICATED BALTIMOREAN PUBLIC SERVANT, MRS. ELLA HILLEN PIERCE ______ HON. KWEISI MFUME of maryland in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 18, 2026 Mr. MFUME. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce, a devoted civil servant who dedicated herself to the City of Baltimore and its people. Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce was a long-time employee and respected leader in Baltimore's Bureau of Purchases, and her integrity and professionalism in her many roles will not soon be forgotten. A symbol of resilience and a beloved mentor to many of her colleagues, Mrs. Pierce passed away on January 25, 2026, at the age of 98. She will be deeply missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her. Mrs. Pierce was a bright and inquisitive child, one of five Hillen siblings who affectionately referred to themselves as the ``Fab Five.'' Following her graduation from high school, she stayed close to her Baltimore roots and pursued a higher education at Catonsville Community College, Howard University, Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), and Johns Hopkins University. Mrs. Pierce used the skills and qualifications that she gained through her schooling to pursue a barrier-breaking career in public procurement. She began her professional journey as a Purchasing Agent at Morgan State, remaining there for 19 years before becoming the first African American hired as a Buyer in Baltimore's Bureau of Purchases. There, she quickly distinguished herself through her confidence, professionalism, and work ethic, earning the admiration of her colleagues. Rising steadily through the ranks, she ultimately made history in 1987 as the first woman and the first African American to serve as Baltimore City's Purchasing Agent. In that same year, Mrs. Pierce earned the first of many accolades from her peers in the public procurement industry when she was named the ``Buyer of the Year'' by the Maryland Public Purchasing Association. In 1999, she earned the National Institute of Government Purchasing's (NIGP) prestigious Albert M. Hall Award, and just 3 years later she was named a Fellow of NIGP. In 2020, at the end of a long and distinguished career, she received NIGP's Inclusion and Diversity Award. The following year, the award was renamed the Ella Pierce Award in her honor, a fitting tribute to her trailblazing career and its lasting impact. Though her professional accomplishments were numerous, Mrs. Pierce was also deeply devoted to her family and her community. While she had no children of her own, close friends and loved ones were known to call her ``Mom,'' in recognition of her warmth, generosity, and compassion. She loved to travel and took great joy in sharing those experiences with the people she loved. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life and legacy of this dedicated public servant. Mrs. Ella Hillen Pierce was a pillar of her community, and she is deeply missed by all those she leaves behind. I offer my sincerest condolences to her nieces and nephews, as well as to her extended family, friends, colleagues, and all those who had the privilege of knowing her. ____________________