[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 30, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1393-E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING BEN RICHMOND OF THE LOUISVILLE URBAN LEAGUE ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2015

  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Benjamin K. 
Richmond, the President and C.E.O. of the Louisville Urban League, who 
retires today after serving our proud city and community for nearly 
three decades.
   Since 1987, Ben and his staff have helped countless individuals and 
families across the city of Louisville achieve economic stability. 
Under Ben's leadership, the League has broken down barriers to ensure 
that all Louisvillians have the opportunity to pursue a better 
education, a better career, and a better life for their families. The 
organization has been a national model for success, regularly exceeding 
expectations and finding new ways to tackle the challenges facing our 
community.
   Ben was instrumental in creating REBOUND Inc., the Urban League's 
charitable arm dedicated to housing development and rehabilitation. 
This program not only transforms vacant and abandoned properties into 
new houses for low and moderate income families, it helps transform the 
lives of those families and the neighborhoods they will call home.
   At every level, Ben's passion and dedication has increased the Urban 
League's presence and stature throughout Louisville, forging new 
partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and members of the 
community.
   Ben has spent his entire life making sure that all individuals have 
the opportunity to not only be successful, but to achieve that success 
while helping others. Quite simply, he is the very embodiment of the 
mission of the Urban League: to empower communities and change lives.
   Louisville would not be what it is today without the contributions 
and commitment of Ben Richmond. I am proud to have worked closely with 
him through the years, but I'm even prouder to be able to call him a 
friend.
   On behalf of the people of Kentucky's Third Congressional District 
and the city of Louisville, thank you, Ben, for your service and for 
being such a powerful source of inspiration for so many of us. I wish 
you all the best in your retirement. It certainly is well deserved.

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