[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 44 (Tuesday, March 12, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE MILWAUKEE URBAN LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 12, 2019

  Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Milwaukee 
Urban League as it celebrates 100 years of service to the Milwaukee 
area Community. The Milwaukee Urban League was established in 1919 as 
an affiliate of the National Urban League (NUL) in response to the 
migration of African Americans who moved north from southern states in 
search of greater opportunities and a better way of life. They assisted 
in their transition to urban life and employment, helping African 
Americans in Milwaukee secure economic self-reliance, parity and power, 
and civil rights.
  The Milwaukee Urban League become a hub and sought to meet the 
various needs of the African American Community. They established a 
medical clinic in the 1920s and sponsored a community center for 
holiday gatherings, youth recreation and crafts, and taught boxing 
skills. In 1926 the Urban League released a study that established the 
need to eliminate poor housing as a high priority. In subsequent years, 
it was instrumental in ending legalized racial discrimination in 
housing and creating the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council 
which still exists today. In the 1930s, the Milwaukee Urban League 
established the Industrial Relations Project to improve job 
opportunities and working conditions through relationships with 
business establishments.
  Over the years the Urban League has continued to promote employment 
and economic self-sufficiency through such initiatives as apprentice 
programs, and pre-employment skills training. Other employment help 
includes on the job placement and training and older workers and job 
ride programs. The Milwaukee Urban League has promoted business 
ownership and development through efforts such as the Franchise 
Initiative designed to help African Americans acquire franchises, 
thereby, generating wealth and increasing the number of jobs in the 
community. It hosts an annual Youth Leadership Summit to promote civic 
engagement.
  The Milwaukee Urban League has been on the front lines of the 
struggle for equality by both performing research that establishes the 
case for change and taking actions that result in change to help the 
next generation succeed. The Urban League continues to collaborate on 
many issues to enhance the well-being of the community it serves to 
achieve positive outcomes, including: seeking alternatives to 
incarceration, working with organizations to speak out against hatred 
and bigotry, improving academic achievement and social growth among 
students, and eliminating barriers to employment including enhancement.
  Madam Speaker, for these reasons I rise to recognize and pay tribute 
to the Milwaukee Urban League as it celebrates its 100th anniversary 
and continues its efforts to benefit the Fourth Congressional District 
and the State of Wisconsin.

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