Omaha, Neb. – During Black History Month, three local women will be honored by Rep. Don Bacon as “Trailblazers” of the 2nd Congressional District: Ella Willis, Teela Mickles, and Betty McDonald. Rep. Bacon will deliver remarks on the House floor on Thursday, February 4 during the 9 a.m. CT hour detailing and acknowledging their accomplishments. Time and date are subject to change based on vote schedules.
Willis is the head of Neighborhood Action and Fact Association and she has been working diligently in the Omaha community for decades. Mickles is the founder of Compassion in Action; a faith-based, non-profit organization that serves individuals confined in the state correctional facilities and families affected by incarceration. She also facilitates the RAW DAWGS Youth Corps Gang Prevention Program for boys 5 to 13. McDonald is the co-founder of Native Omaha Days; a week-long home-coming event that celebrates the community’s historical and cultural legacies.
Rep. Bacon sought input from the community for this recognition through a committee that consisted of Terry Sanders, publisher and president on the Omaha Star; Thomas Warren, executive director of the Urban League NE; and Marcus Bell, president of 100 Black Men Omaha.
“These three nominees are truly trailblazers to our district and I am thankful for the recommendations of our committee which also consists of outstanding individuals,” said Bacon. “For many years, we have recognized constituents for Black History Month, but this year we have decided to more formalize the process and involved the community that the honor is meant to reflect.”
Bacon and members of the committee will present the Congressional Record copies of the floor remarks in a ceremony to be announced for February.
WHAT/WHO: Congressman Don Bacon will recognize Ella Willis, Teela Mickles, and Betty McDonald for their contributions to Omaha.
WHERE: During morning hour on the floor of the House of Representatives
WHEN: Thursday, February 4, 2021
During the 9:00 a.m. CT Hour
*Action on the House floor can be watched via CSPAN.
