[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 99 (Friday, June 19, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COALITION FOR SOCIAL 
                                JUSTICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 19, 2015

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the twentieth 
anniversary of the Coalition for Social Justice (CSJ) based in 
Southeastern Massachusetts.
  For twenty years, the CSJ has been dedicated to the praiseworthy goal 
of building a grassroots movement for progressive social change, rooted 
in low-income communities and communities of color that have been 
excluded from the economic benefits of the current system.
  The CSJ has a dual focus: to recruit and develop its own leaders from 
low income backgrounds; and to organize effective campaigns to address 
the economic survival issues that low-income communities and 
communities of color face. CSJ's agenda includes: funding essential 
community services through progressive taxes, worker's rights, housing, 
health care, education, welfare, criminal justice reform, immigrant 
rights, and environmental justice.
  CSJ has actively participated in advocating for the needs of working-
class families. For example, in 2014 CSJ helped increase minimum wage 
in Massachusetts, and also helped earn sick time for all workers in 
Massachusetts. In 2011, CSJ helped to restore the children's clothing 
allowance of $150 per year per child so children were able to start the 
school year with suitable clothing. These examples represent only a 
small fraction of CSJ's commendable work.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the CSJ on its 
twentieth year anniversary. It gives me great pride to recognize them 
for all of the admirable work they do for those in need.

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