[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING MS. DOROTHY JOHNSON-SPEIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
Philadelphia's greatest luminaries, Ms. Dorothy Johnson-Speight, 
Founder and Executive Director of Mothers In Charge, Inc. She is a 
respected leader, solid advocate and inspirational speaker against the 
war to end senseless acts of violent crime. Her work, though rooted in 
Philadelphia, has led to national appearances and presentations across 
the United States and abroad.
   A licensed family therapist, Dorothy actively engages in championing 
the rights of children and families. She has a distinguished career in 
victim advocacy. In 2001, her life was forever changed following the 
tragic murder of her son Khaaliq Jabbar Johnson over a parking space 
dispute. That tragic incident left Mrs. Johnson-Speight needing the 
support of others. She reached out to other grieving mothers and 
together they founded the non-profit organization Mothers In Charge, 
Inc., a grassroots organization whose mission is violence prevention 
through education. Mothers In Charge engages in proactive intervention 
with children, young adults, families and community organizations.
   The work of Mothers In Charge under the direction of Mrs. Johnson-
Speight has motivated mothers from around the country who have suffered 
the indescribable loss of a child. Chapters of this extraordinary 
organization have been founded in Wilmington, DE, San Francisco, CA, 
Los Angeles, CA, Kansas City, MO, Atlantic City, NJ, Brooklyn, NY and 
Harrisburg, PA.
   The extraordinary work of Dorothy Johnson-Speight and Mothers In 
Charge has been appreciated and acknowledged by some of the nation's 
most influential publications and organizations. Dorothy has been the 
recipient of numerous awards, including the Best Philadelphia Award 
from the Philadelphia Magazine; the Philadelphia Eagles identified her 
as one of the 75 Greatest Living Philadelphians; in 2012, the 
Philadelphia Tribune chose her as one of Philadelphia's Most 
Influential African American Leaders, and the Philadelphia Inquirer 
named her Citizen of the Year in 2013. The recognition doesn't stop 
there as Mothers In Charge has also received numerous organizational 
awards and recognitions. The organization was the focus of a special 
feature on the OWN Network's ``Our America'' with Lisa Ling. Villanova 
University produced a documentary, No Greater Pain which journal's 
Dorothy's unspeakable loss and her arduous and unexpected journey to 
victim advocacy.
   Organizational awards include the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 
Director of Community Service Award, the Wells/Fargo/Wachovia Community 
Service Award, and the School District of Philadelphia Humanitarian 
Award.
   I am pleased to lead the Congress in honoring Dorothy Johnson-
Speight--founder of Mothers In Charge--for her unceasing efforts and 
outstanding progress in victim advocacy. Her legacy in Philadelphia and 
her mark on the national stage for victim advocacy will leave a legacy 
on generations to come.

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