HONORING ILLINOIS POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN

HONORING ILLINOIS POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)] [House] [Page H119] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ILLINOIS POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez) for 5 minutes. Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor a powerful force in the fight for justice, equality, and true democracy, the Illinois Poor People's Campaign. In one of the wealthiest nations in the world, the Poor People's Campaign dares to believe that poverty can be eradicated. Their work continues the legacy and vision of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., building a multiracial movement to end poverty, centering the voices of those with lived experiences of poverty, and breaking down barriers to full democratic participation. The Illinois Poor People's Campaign understands that democracy is too precious and too significant to leave in the hands of those who would prioritize the interests of the ultrawealthy corporations. I especially recognize the Illinois Poor People's Campaign members and constituents of Illinois' Third District, Sheilah Garland-Olaniran, Joyce Brody, and Lenny Brody. Additionally, I recognize Illinois PPC Tri-Chairs Carlos Rodriguez, Jessica Motsinger, and Reverend Susan Phillips. Their unwavering commitment to all of us all over the country is inspiring and should encourage us to also live a life of this kind of dedication. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I commend the Illinois Poor People's Campaign for their relentless fight for justice and equality and their efforts to ensure every person has a say in our democracy. I thank all of its members. Honoring Pastor Emma Lozano Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastora Emma Lozano of the United Lincoln Methodist Church in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. Born in Texas and later making Chicago her home, Pastor Lozano's lifelong commitment to advocacy has left an undeniable mark on our communities and our Nation. Her journey as an advocate started at Centro de Accion Social Autonomo, where she and her brother, Rudy Lozano, championed immigrant worker rights. After her brother's tragic assassination in 1983, Pastor Lozano carried his legacy forward, channeling her grief into action and dedicating herself to the causes they both held dear. In 1987, she founded Centro Sin Fronteras, a grassroots organization that has empowered undocumented families, addressing critical issues such as overcrowded schools, housing insecurity, police brutality, and bilingual education. In 2006, Pastor Lozano and her late husband, Reverend Walter ``Slim'' Coleman, sparked a nationwide movement for our shared humanity when they offered their church in my district, Adalberto United Methodist Church, as a sanctuary for a woman who was undocumented and in need of sanctuary, Elvira Arellano, and her son, Saul. Emma's courage, faith, and tireless work remind us of the power of community and the enduring fight for dignity and equality. On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District, I thank her for her compassion. I thank her for her dedication to creating a more just, more compassionate world. May this Congress learn from her--from her dedication, from her courage--and may it truly be what it says it is, the people's House, reminded of our roots and reminded of our shared humanity. I congratulate Pastor Emma Lozano. ____________________