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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E515-E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING ALMA LEE LOY
______
HON. BILL POSEY
of florida
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Mr. POSEY. Madam Speaker, on April 10, 2020, Vero Beach said good-bye
to its First Lady and prolific community leader, Alma Lee Loy, who
passed away at 90 years old of pneumonia-related complications. As a
personal friend and beloved member of our community, I would like to
take this time to recognize the countless contributions Alma has made
to Indian River County and celebrate a lifetime of extraordinary
personal achievements.
Alma Lee Loy was born in Vero Beach on June 10, 1929 and from a very
young age dedicated her life to the betterment of Indian River County,
the community she so loved and was revered by. Ask any Vero Beach
Resident if they knew of her, and they would surely say yes, with
mentions of fond memories and stories.
Throughout her life she wore many important hats that made her into
the iconic woman that our community grew to respect and love. Alma was
a compassionate neighbor, a philanthropist, accomplished athlete,
successful businesswoman, historian, and a mentor to our community's
youth, just to name a few.
For the first 42 years of her career, she operated and ran a
children's clothing store in downtown Vero Beach, Alma Lee's Clothing
Center, alongside her close friend Lucy Auxier. It was here that the
community first befriended her, as they shopped for years for back-to-
school clothes and dresses and came to know her giving heart. But in
more than one way, Alma was compelled to further serve her community.
Her civic engagement spans many sectors. She became a founding member
of the Vero Beach City Recreation Board, the Vero Beach Downtown
Merchants Association, Education Foundation of Indian River County and
the Indian River Community Foundation. Her altruistic spirit drove her
to volunteer and lead several philanthropic organizations including
what is now the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the Gifford Youth
Orchestra. From 1968 to 1980, Alma served on the Indian River County
Board of County Commissioners, serving as Chairman and Vice Chairman.
Alma's unwavering commitment to preserving her community's natural
beauty and treasures, in addition to educating the public about its'
historical significance, has long helped spread awareness of important
issues in Indian River County. She played an important role in raising
the awareness that saved the 18-acre McKee Botanical Garden from
housing development, serving twice as President of the garden. She
served on the board of the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary
Committee, served two terms as President of the Indian River Land
Trust, and received the ``Love Your Lagoon'' award for her dedication
to cleaning up our waterways.
Many of Alma's achievements succeed her in the form of local
buildings and awards, including the Alma Lee Loy Bridge on 17th Street
and the Alma Lee Loy Indian River County Chamber of Commerce, where she
served as the first female board member. There have been many
contributions and awards made in her honor and through them, she will
be revered and dearly missed as a leader in our community.
I ask my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to join me
in recognizing Alma Lee Loy. May her dedication to our community serve
as a reminder of what it means to be a public servant, a good neighbor,
a mentor, and leader. Her impact and legacy will
[[Page E516]]
be felt in Indian River County for generations to come.
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