[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E207-E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING BENJAMIN T. JEALOUS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2016

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Mr. Benjamin T. 
Jealous as he is the keynote speaker for the Canisius College Academic 
Talent Search Black History Month event. Mr. Jealous and his years of 
experience in civil and human rights will bring invaluable insight to 
the students of Canisius College and to the Buffalo community, and we 
are honored to have him with us today.
   The Academic Talent Search (ATS) Program at Canisius College 
identifies and provides services for individuals from disadvantaged 
backgrounds, helping students progress through the academic pipeline 
from middle school through post-baccalaureate programs. The program 
serves approximately 600 youths recruited from area schools and 
community service organizations, giving educational, social, and career 
support as well as co-curricular and cultural enhancement.
   Mr. Jealous has previously served as the President and Chief 
Executive Officer of the NAACP. He recently began working in the 
Silicon Valley venture capital firm Kapor Capital, where he plans to 
continue his goal of growing opportunities for minorities in the tech 
economy. A Rhodes Scholar, Mr. Jealous was named by both Forbes and 
TIME magazine to their ``Top 40 under 40'' lists, as well as a Young 
Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.
   The youngest president in the NAACP's history, Mr. Jealous began his 
career at 18 opening mail at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. Under his 
leadership, the NAACP grew to be the largest civil rights organization 
online and on mobile, and became the largest community-based 
nonpartisan voter registration operation in the country. In addition, 
the NAACP experienced their first multi-year membership growth in over 
2 decades. A builder of robust coalitions, Mr. Jealous's leadership 
included bringing environmentalist organizations into the fight to 
protect voting rights, and convincing several well-known conservatives 
to join the NAACP in challenging mass incarceration.
   Prior to leading the NAACP, Mr. Jealous spent 15 years as a 
journalist and community organizer. Throughout his entire career, he 
has been the leader of successful state and local movements to ban 
racial profiling, defend voting rights, secure marriage equality, and 
free multiple wrongfully incarcerated people. Mr. Jealous has built a 
legacy on fighting for justice, and has made a career out of helping 
the disadvantaged and less fortunate.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor Mr. 
Benjamin T. Jealous for all of the work that he has done. The ATS 
Program and Canisius College is honored to have such a distinguished 
and honorable speaker for their event. His personal contribution of 
time and effort towards the progress of justice in our nation is 
admirable, and I am grateful for his unwavering commitment to such 
noble causes. I wish him much continued success in all his future 
endeavors.

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