[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING LISA WILLIAMS OF COLLEYVILLE, TEXAS FOR HER OUTSTANDING 
                                  WORK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 29, 2020

  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Lisa Williams 
for her tireless devotion to helping victims of human trafficking 
overcome the many challenges they face. As a distinguished leader in 
the non-profit community, Lisa has been working to counter the tragic 
effects of child abuse and sexual exploitation since she founded Circle 
of Friends: Celebrating Life, Inc. in 1999.
  From the outset, Circle of Friends has collaborated with various 
stakeholders to fundraise and create awareness about the systemic 
issues that human trafficking presents to communities across the 
country. Under Lisa's guidance, other programs were established to 
further this goal, such as Living Water for Women, Living Water for 
Girls and the Living Water Learning Resource Center. Through these 
channels, Lisa has focused on providing services that are based on 
proven intervention and rehabilitative strategies, such as creating 
spaces for safe refuge, delivering therapeutic treatments, and 
facilitating educational and career opportunities for victims of sex 
trafficking.
  For over twenty years, Lisa's work has enabled women and children to 
heal by way of an extensive network of support services. Her efforts 
will continue through the Circle of Friends Impact Legacy Scholarship 
Fund, a dollar-for-dollar, matched endowment that is administered by 
the Century Challenge at Boston University. The Circle of Friends 
scholarship fund will empower survivors of adverse sexual experiences 
to pursue an education and achieve self-sufficiency.
  Ms. Williams's philanthropic endeavors have undoubtedly served as a 
beacon of hope to many. Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to recognize 
the remarkable work that Lisa has produced in support of human 
trafficking victims. I ask all my distinguished colleagues to join me 
in recognizing Lisa Williams for her distinguished years of service.

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