Today, Virgie M. Rollins released the following statement in endorsement and support of Senator Adam Hollier for Congress: 

“Senator Adam Hollier is the leader this district needs,” Virgie M. Rollins said. “I have spent my life advocating for and improving the pipeline for great leaders in our communities, and Adam has impressed me from the moment we first met. As I travel around the country in my role as Black Caucus Chair for the DNC, I see many young leaders and Senator Hollier is at the top of that list. He has shown time and time again he is ready for this challenge and I am thrilled to support him in my personal capacity in his run for Congress. 

Adam understands the issues of the people of the 13th District because he has, and continues to, live them. His greatest priorities in Congress are issues that are critical to the success of this region and issues that empower women and families: access to quality education, affordable childcare, good union jobs and building sound infrastructure to improve our communities. 

When I first met Adam, Detroit was in the dark, and he got to work by helping to establish the Public Lighting Authority that installed over 64,000 new street lights throughout our city. When Adam sees a problem, he figures out how to solve it: whether that is through convening a group of experts, connecting people to resources, or literally patching our area’s potholes with his own two hands. Adam knows how to get the work done. And the 13th District needs somebody who already has their sleeves rolled up.

Adam is the candidate who is ready to meet this critical moment in our state’s history, with a proven track record of leadership and a commitment to our future. Adam will never forget about the people of Detroit and its surrounding communities, and will work hard every day in Washington to be our best advocate.”

Background on Virgie Rollins

Virgie M. Rollins is currently the Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Black Caucus. During her tenure as Chair of the Black Caucus, Ms. Rollins organized African American Leadership Summits, which convened to discuss Urban Issues with African American leaders across the county. 

She is also the PAC Chair for the National Federation of Democratic Women (NFDW), and the First African American Woman to Chair the Michigan Democratic Women’s Caucus. Under her leadership, the Jefferson-Jackson luncheon was established and the Eleanor Roosevelt Award founded as well as a young women’s internship program with the Democratic Governor’s office. 

In 2013, in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s Walk for Freedom March in Detroit, Ms. Rollins proudly accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in politics and social justice from the Michigan Democratic Black Caucus and the Women’s Delegation for Peace and Change. 

She is a recipient of the Spirit of Detroit Award and the recipient of a State of Michigan Resolution for her work with women. Virgie M. Rollins served in the late Detroit Mayor Coleman Young’s administration for 15 years, as Assistant County Executive, and Assistant Director Department of Licensing and Regulation for the State of Michigan She currently lives in Detroit.

Background on Sen. Hollier

Senator Adam Hollier was born and raised in the North End of Detroit where generations of his family have lived since the 1940s. The son of a former social worker and a retired Detroit Fire Department captain, service to people and the community were ingrained in Hollier from a young age.

Senator Hollier served as a volunteer firefighter before enlisting in the U.S. Army and graduating with distinction from officer candidate school, where he earned the commission of 2nd Lieutenant. He currently serves as a Captain and paratrooper in the 412th Civil Affairs Battalion.

Senator Hollier is a proud graduate of Detroit Public Schools. He earned a bachelor’s in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University where he played safety on the varsity football team and was a decathlete. He received a master’s in urban planning from the University of Michigan. 

Hollier was named to Michigan Chronicle’s 40 under 40 in 2013 and Crain’s 20 in their 20s in 2015. He lives in Detroit’s North End with his wife, Krystle, and young daughter and son.

Original source can be found here.