[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 91 (Tuesday, June 9, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               LAQUITTA DeMERCHANT COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

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                            HON. PETE OLSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 2015

  Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Laquitta 
DeMerchant for receiving one of the World Youth Foundation's 2015 
Community Impact Award thanks to her work as CEO of Fuzion Apps and 
dedication to her community.
  Ms. DeMerchant has numerous accomplishments and shows tremendous 
enthusiasm for her community. She won the Women Innovation Mobile Award 
and the grand prize in the Department of Labor's Equal Pay App 
Challenge. Laquitta speaks at universities and high schools around the 
Houston area to increase awareness of wage gap issues and supports 
initiatives for working families. Laquitta also mentors young 
programmers and software developers in competitions throughout the 
nation. A member of her team at the Essence Festival YESWECODE 
hackathon went on to win the biggest international impact award for 
developing an anti-human trafficking app. We are proud of her 
accomplishments on behalf of our community.
  On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congressional District of Texas, 
congratulations again to Laquitta DeMerchant for receiving the 
Community Impact Award. We appreciate your dedication to strengthening 
our community.

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