HONORING MIKE HUGHES

HONORING MIKE HUGHES

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E284] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING MIKE HUGHES ______ HON. GREG STANTON of arizona in the house of representatives Friday, March 27, 2026 Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mike Hughes on his retirement after 53 years of service as CEO of A New Leaf, a cornerstone nonprofit serving families across Arizona. Mike dedicated more than five decades of his life to helping Arizonans facing difficult challenges, including homelessness, domestic violence, poverty, and instability. Under his leadership, A New Leaf has grown from a small local organization into a comprehensive provider of housing and human services. Its services reach tens of thousands of individuals each year across the East Valley. Mike's approach to leading A New Leaf has always gone beyond addressing immediate needs. He has led A New Leaf with a focus on long- term solutions. The nonprofit today provides both immediate support and the tools people need to rebuild their lives, including financial education and support for reentry to the workforce. The critical services have expanded across the Valley under his leadership. A New Leaf often steps in to support struggling nonprofits so that essential programs can continue serving those in need. Throughout his career, Mike has never lost sight of the people behind the numbers. His efforts to support families in crisis have helped create a highly coordinated and compassionate response to homelessness at a time when housing insecurity is rising and resources are strained. Mike is a steady voice for collaboration, bringing organizations together to improve outcomes and better serve those in need. Mike's impact extends well beyond A New Leaf. A longtime public servant, he has served on the Mesa Public Schools Board for decades and contributed to numerous community organizations across Arizona. His decades of service have not gone unnoticed. Mike has been recognized by prominent Arizona groups, news outlets, and others with prestigious awards, including the Corporate Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Nonprofit CEO Lifetime Achievement Award from the Phoenix Business Journal for his commitment to serving those most in need. Providing support for community members facing the most difficult circumstances requires grounded, deeply committed leadership. Mike embodies that leadership. He transformed A New Leaf while remaining focused on its core mission to serve those most in need with real impact. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mike Hughes for his extraordinary years of service. His work has strengthened communities across our state and set a standard for what true service looks like. ____________________