[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IOWAN OF THE WEEK--DR. VERGARIE SANFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 21, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Dr. Vergarie Sanford for her 
outstanding work and commitment as a faith leader in her community.
  Dr. Sanford serves as a minister at Mount Zion Refuge Center Church 
in Council Bluffs. Here, she centers her work on creating safe, 
supporting communities that focuses on serving God by serving others. 
Dr. Sanford engages young women, providing mentorship for girls between 
ages 12 and 18. She has also worked in local middle schools on bullying 
prevention programs. Her dedication to bettering her community is shown 
in her multiple memberships on the boards of local Council Bluffs 
organizations. Dr. Sanford is a true community leader and servant.
  Born and raised in Council Bluffs, Dr. Sanford is dedicated to 
continued learning that allows her to better serve her fellow Iowans. 
She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School and attended Iowa 
Western; most recently, she received her Ph.D. in Educational 
Leadership from Oral Roberts University, and I know her community is 
deeply proud of this accomplishment. She said she is inspired by 
Matthew 9:37 which reads ``the harvest is plentiful but the laborers 
are few'' which speaks to her heart and desire to serve her community.
  Dr. Sanford is on the Board of Directors of Children's Square U.S.A., 
which provides behavioral health, educational services, child welfare, 
and emergency services to families. She is also the Vice Chair on the 
Board of Directors of Centro Latino. This organization created a social 
services office in Council Bluffs to help the growing Latino community 
navigate through different resources including pantry services, housing 
assistance, applications to Medicaid, SNAP, and unemployment. Through 
her work, Iowans are getting access to services they need to support 
their families.
  It is an honor to commemorate the outstanding achievement of Dr. 
Sanford and celebrate the hard work that she has put in to give back to 
her community. I have great respect and admiration for activists like 
Dr. Sanford who continue to build up others and help them fulfill their 
needs.

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