[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 51 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUMMIT OF HOPE

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2017

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Summit of 
Hope, an event organized by the Illinois Department of Corrections, the 
Illinois Department of Public Health, and local organizations 
throughout Illinois. The Summit of Hope is designed to help former 
inmates reintegrate into society and succeed as citizens once they've 
served their time in prison, promoting public safety and reducing 
recidivism in the process.
  All too often, former inmates do not have access to the tools they 
need to succeed in our society. Without access to employment or 
housing, they in too many cases return to prison.
  The Summit of Hope is a large community expo designed to provide 
individuals on parole or probation with access to the tools they need. 
Services provided at the event range from voter registration, to 
counseling, to job training, to health screenings and beyond. By 
providing access to these services, organizers are ensuring that these 
individuals have every opportunity to succeed and reintegrate in our 
society. I am grateful for the extraordinary efforts of Mr. Marcus 
King, Community Outreach Administrator for the Illinois Department of 
Corrections' Office of Constituent Services. Mr. King is a driving 
force behind this and other Summit of Hope events around the state of 
Illinois, and his impact on reducing recidivism cannot be overstated.
  I also want to note the important efforts of Ms. Brandi Vigil, a 
full-time faculty member with Loyola University's Department of 
Criminal Justice and Criminology. Ms. Vigil and Loyola University have 
helped make the Summit of Hope a reality.
  I am honored to have a Summit of Hope event take place in the 9th 
Congressional District of Illinois, and I hope that this and future 
events help make our communities safer and equip former inmates with 
the tools they need to succeed.

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