[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1435-E1436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MR. JASON ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Mr. Jason Roberts, a White House ``Champion of Change'' from Oak 
Cliff, Texas. This week, the White House honored Mr. Roberts and other 
leaders from across the U.S. for their ground-breaking initiatives to 
enhance their communities.
  Mr. Roberts' leadership has been exemplary in his initiatives to 
improve local areas, and revitalize communities in South Dallas. As 
founder of the Oak Cliff Transit Authority, a nonprofit organization 
dedicated to reclaiming Oak Cliff's past distinction, Mr. Roberts 
worked to revive and modernize the Dallas streetcar system. Through 
hard work and ingenuity, Mr. Roberts led the city's effort to obtain a 
$23 million TIGER grant from the Federal Transit Administration for 
their revitalization efforts.
  Mr. Roberts' ``Better Blocks'' project reclaims blighted areas, 
converting vacant properties into temporary walk-friendly districts, 
complete with pop-up businesses, bike lanes, cafe seating, and 
landscaping. Mr. Roberts' efforts have been so successful in South 
Dallas that over 20 U.S. cities have taken steps to enhance 
neighborhoods in the same fashion based on his work. Mr. Roberts' 
``Better Blocks'' project has even gained international recognition, 
and has since been featured in the New York Times, TED Talks, and on 
NPR.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor the hard work and vision that Mr. 
Jason Roberts continues to bring to South Dallas. His hard work and 
vision have allowed him to not only envision a better Dallas, but to 
also act on that vision. I look forward to seeing what future advances 
that Mr. Roberts will spearhead next, and I stand ready to support 
these efforts at every turn.

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