{"database": "openregs", "table": "congressional_record", "rows": [["CREC-2026-02-26-pt1-PgS702-2", "2026-02-26", 119, 2, null, null, "REMEMBERING LaMARR FRANKLIN", "SENATE", "SENATE", "ALLOTHER", "S702", "S702", "[{\"name\": \"Tammy Baldwin\", \"role\": \"speaking\"}]", null, "172 Cong. Rec. S702", "Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)\n\n[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]\n[Senate]\n[Page S702]\nFrom the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]\n\n                      REMEMBERING LaMARR FRANKLIN\n\n  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the distinguished\ncareer and life of LaMarr Franklin. Mr. Franklin was born in 1945 in\nMilwaukee and passed away on February 11, 2026, at the age of 80. Mr.\nFranklin was a pillar of the Milwaukee community and left an enduring\nlegacy that will continue to shape the city and the lives of its\nresidents for years to come. He was known for dedicating his life to\nuplifting the city's youth and African-American community.\n  Born and raised in Milwaukee, Mr. Franklin attended Messmer High\nSchool before being drafted at 21 into the Army during the Vietnam war,\nwhere he earned the rank of sergeant. Following his military service,\nhe returned home and attended Roosevelt University in Chicago, earning\na bachelor of science in sociology before beginning a successful career\nin corporate sales. After many fruitful years, he retired as vice\npresident of sales at Computec Integrated Solutions, Inc.\n  Mr. Franklin talents were not only in sales but in his remarkable\nability to lift up those around him. Throughout his career, he was\nhighly regarded for his contributions and service to his community,\nearning commendations at the Federal, State, and local levels.\n  In 1973, Mr. Franklin founded the Milwaukee Chapter of the Black\nAchievers Program at the YMCA, which expanded college and career\nexploration opportunities for the city's youth. He also played a\npivotal role in launching the Martin Luther King Economic Development\nCorporation, which focused on expanding affordable housing and\ncommercial facilities throughout the historic King Drive corridor for\nnearly 30 years. Additionally, he served numerous State and community\nboards, including more than 40 years of service on the board of the\nNorthcott Neighborhood House, as well as the LaVarnway Boys and Girls\nClub Scholarship Board.\n  As board president of the Northcott Neighborhood House, Mr. Franklin\nspearheaded some of Milwaukee's most significant cultural milestones,\nincluding one of the Nation's largest Juneteenth celebrations and the\nbeloved Garfield Days. Through his leadership on the Boys and Girls\nClub Booster Club and Scholarship Board, he opened doors for thousands\nof young people, many of whom have since ascended to prominent\nleadership roles spanning government and industry.\n  Beyond these many exceptional accomplishments, even in retirement,\nMr. Franklin's commitment to mentorship never faded. He continued to\ntutor students in Milwaukee schools and, alongside lifelong friends,\ncofounded The Breakfast Club M.K.E. This 500-member organization\nprovides a vital social space for African-American men and community\nleaders to foster youth engagement. To this day, the group continues\nhis mission, meeting every second Friday at the Family Table Restaurant\non Brown Deer Road.\n  In honoring Mr. Franklin's truly indelible mark on the great city of\nMilwaukee, his name officially became part of the city with the\ndedication of the LaMarr Franklin Lofts in October 2025. The building\nnow remains as a true testament to the towering legacy which he left\nbehind. Throughout his work, he built--both literally and\nmetaphorically--the scaffolding to support our coming generations'\nsuccesses.\n  Mr. Franklin's life was nothing short of remarkable. As a visionary\nleader, changemaker, and tireless advocate, the impacts of his\ndedication to Milwaukee's youth and African-American community will\ncontinue to be felt for generations to come. While we mourn his\npassing, I am honored to join our community in celebrating a life\ndefined by service. We recognize his extraordinary contributions not\nonly to Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin but to the Nation as a\nwhole.\n\n                          ____________________"]], "columns": ["granule_id", "date", "congress", "session", "volume", "issue", "title", "chamber", "granule_class", "sub_granule_class", "page_start", "page_end", "speakers", "bills", "citation", "full_text"], "primary_keys": ["granule_id"], "primary_key_values": ["CREC-2026-02-26-pt1-PgS702-2"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.9969519237056375, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}