[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 34 (Friday, February 27, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING SHERMAN L. JENKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 27, 2015

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sherman L. Jenkins, 
who was named Outstanding African-American of the Year by the City of 
Aurora's African-American Heritage Advisory Board.
  Mr. Jenkins has been a key figure in the growth and development of 
the city of Aurora, Illinois. From 1991 until his retirement in 2012, 
Mr. Jenkins worked as assistant director and then as executive director 
of the Aurora Economic Development Commission. Under his leadership, 
the Aurora Economic Development Commission fostered the creation of the 
city's first downtown Master Plan, formed the Seize the Future 
Development Foundation, and worked to bring the Chicago Premium Outlets 
and many other infrastructure and business projects to Aurora, 
Illinois.
  In addition to his business career, Mr. Jenkins has been committed to 
serving his community. He is a member of the Ely Chapter of Lambda 
Alpha International, Rotary Club of Aurora, Past Chairman and Board 
Emeritus of the Aurora Public Library Foundation, a board member of the 
Northern Lights Development Corporation, and an Advisory Council member 
of the Board of Directors for the Quad County African American Chamber 
of Commerce.
  Mr. Jenkins is the President of SLJ Development Corporation and SLJ 
Communications, Inc., publisher of the monthly digital magazine Tell Me 
Somethin' Good, which focuses on African-American life outside the City 
of Chicago.
  I would like to congratulate Mr. Jenkins as he receives the 
Outstanding African-American of the Year Award from the City of 
Aurora's African-American Heritage Advisory Board and thank him for his 
service to our community.

                          ____________________