[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 128 (Monday, July 29, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE URBAN AFFAIRS COALITION

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I wish to celebrate the Urban 
Affairs Coalition in recognition of their 50th anniversary. Founded in 
1969 as the Philadelphia Urban Coalition, the Urban Affairs Coalition 
works tirelessly to tackle a number of diverse issues that immediately 
affect communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region.
  A robust group of organizations, the Philadelphia Urban Coalition was 
founded after the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, 
Jr., with the goal of solving their communities' social and economic 
problems. In 1991, the group merged with the Urban Affairs Partnership 
to create the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and in 2010 
shortened the name to the Urban Affairs Coalition. They have managed 
over $1 billion of social investment since their founding.
  Today, the Urban Affairs Coalition consists of over 75 organizations 
working to achieve unity among government, business, neighborhood, and 
individual initiatives to improve the quality of life in the region, 
build wealth in urban communities, and solve emerging issues. The 
coalition works towards this mission in three different ways: backing 
nonprofits through fiscal sponsorship, capacity building, and 
professional development; working to improve life chances for the youth 
and young adults; and providing economic opportunity to low-income 
households, working families, and disadvantaged businesses.
  Through their extensive work, the Urban Affairs Coalition helps 
children and young adults climb the economic ladder, educates the 
community on job opportunities and financial advice, and provides 
access to capital for minority entrepreneurs. The coalition is 
committed to supporting nonprofits by helping them run backroom 
operations, allowing nonprofits to focus on public service.
  In addition to helping their community, the Urban Affairs Coalition 
recognizes local leaders at their annual banquet. They present the Doer 
Award, the Living Legacy Award, and the Community Leadership Award to 
those who make efforts to improve and support their communities. The 
Urban Affairs Coalition consistently looks to form new partnerships and 
is working to raise $1 million in the 2020 fiscal year to create a UAC 
Legacy Fund, which will further support educational and charitable 
activities.
  Additionally, I wish to commend Ms. Sharmain Matlock-Turner, the 
president and chief executive officer of the Urban Affairs Coalition. 
This year marks Ms. Matlock-Turner's 20th anniversary in her role. She 
also serves as the cofounder and chair of the West Oak Lane Charter 
School, a school in Northwest Philadelphia where 92 percent of students 
are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. West Oak Lane prides 
itself on strong ties with higher education organizations. These 
relationships begin by focusing on educating the next generation of 
innovators. Ms. Matlock-Turner was one of three Philadelphia leaders to 
win a scholarship to Harvard Business School's Nonprofit Leaders' 
Summer Program in 2005, and she has since won awards from CASA 
Philadelphia, the American Red Cross, and many other organizations.
  The work of the Urban Affairs Coalition and Ms. Matlock-Turner have 
been crucial to providing countless children and young adults a 
fighting chance at a brighter future. Community improvement is their 
continuing mission, and I thank them for their hard work on behalf of 
Pennsylvanians. I wish them the best of luck on their future 
efforts.

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