[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING CHARLOTTE KEYS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNIE SHOWS

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. SHOWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Charlotte Keys, 
who was recently honored as a 2001 Robert Wood Johnson Community Health 
Leader. Ms. Keys is one of only 10 individuals from around the country 
to receive this distinguished award, which includes a $100,000 grant to 
help further her work.
  Ms. Keys is the founder of an organization called Jesus People 
Against Pollution, located in Columbia, Mississippi, which works to 
mobilize the community to improve health and environmental justice. Her 
early efforts focused on those in the community who suffered severe 
health problems as a result of a major explosion at a chemical plant in 
Columbia in 1977. She mobilized the community and advocated for them.
  As a result of her activism, she was asked to leave her job and she 
endured threats on her life. Undaunted by this experience, and moved by 
the extensive health needs of her neighbors, many of whom were children 
or senior citizens, Ms. Keys formed Jesus People Against Pollution, or 
JPAP, in 1992. She created JPAP to help educate the community about 
environmental health threats and to advocate for cleanup and 
redevelopment.
  Today, JPAP offers training and advocacy programs and has co-hosted a 
regional summit on environmental justice with participation by both the 
state and federal governments. In addition, Ms. Keys has become a 
trusted leader, and the community looks to her as a resource for 
assistance in other social issues, such as housing, food stamps and 
disability benefits.
  One of her nominators described Ms. Keys as a ``long distance runner 
who possesses a profound commitment to the cause of justice.'' It is my 
hope that she continues to run this race for justice. It is clear that 
she has covered quite a distance, but the road still stretches out 
ahead.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege today to honor Charlotte Keys for this 
well deserved leadership award. I am confident that it will help to 
strengthen and sustain her important work.

                          ____________________