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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E291-E292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DOROTHY (DOTTIE) WHAM
______
HON. ED PERLMUTTER
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Mr. PERLMUTTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor
Dorothy (Dottie) Wham, a great Coloradan, wife, mother and grandmother.
Dorothy Stonecipher was born January 5, 1925 in Centralia, Ill. She
died peacefully on October 20, 2019, surrounded by loving family and
friends. She was married to her husband Bob, her high school
sweetheart, for 65 years and had three children, Nancy Mitchell and
husband Rohn, daughter Jeanne Ryan and husband Brent; son Robert S. II
and his wife, Jamie Shaffer; five grandchildren, numerous nieces,
nephews and friends. She is also survived by brother Ernest Joseph
Stonecipher, Jr.
[[Page E292]]
In 1946, Dottie graduated from MacMurray College in Jacksonville,
Ill. where she earned a bachelor's degree and a Master of Arts degree
from the University of Illinois in 1949. After coming to Colorado in
1950, and then moving to Denver in 1953, Dottie's interest in politics
was sparked. In 1952, she worked for Dwight Eisenhower's presidential
campaign collecting contributions, which irritated both her family and
Bob's family as they were backers of the more conservative Robert Taft
of Ohio. She then took an interest in immunization issues, which
brought her to Montrose, Delta and Mesa counties where she helped to
organize immunization drives. Dottie continued to pursue her interest
in public health and worked for a federal agency for 10 years. She also
led the Colorado Civil Rights Commission from 1972 to 1980 and served
on the boards of several metro area mental health organizations.
In 1984, Dottie was first elected to the Colorado State House. She
was appointed to the Colorado State Senate when Sen. Cliff Dodge
stepped down in November 1987. She won election to that seat the
following year, and handily won re-election twice more. During Dottie's
tenure at the legislature she chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee
from 1989 to 2000. Her legislative focus remained centered on her
passion for health policy, including mental health issues. Dottie was
term-limited in 2000.
She was one of the first state lawmakers to carry legislation
requiring reporting of HIV and AIDS in Colorado. Dottie's bill, Senate
Bill 157 in 1990, laid down a marker for how individuals with HIV or
AIDS should be treated, stating that any such infection should not
serve as the basis for discrimination or prevention of access to
services.
I was privileged to know Dottie for many years and to call her my
friend. It was an honor to work with her in the Colorado State Senate.
I admired her focus and effectiveness. She never shied away from a
tough challenge. She was one of the smartest, toughest, shrewdest and
kindest people I have ever met, and I appreciated her tireless work
ethic and service to the people of Colorado. I extend my deepest
appreciation to Dottie Wham for her dedication to her community and to
the people of the State of Colorado.
