[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 92 (Friday, May 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING CYNTHIA WILLIAMS AND THE AUSTIN PEOPLES ACTION CENTER ON 
                       ITS 40TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 15, 2020

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, May 10th marked the 
40th Year Anniversary of the Austin Peoples Action Center which was 
organized by a teenager/young adult, her parents and members of the 
Third Unitarian Church of Chicago in the Austin Community. Austin at 
the time was the largest community area in the City of Chicago and was 
still under-going a serious population change from being predominately 
white to becoming majority black. There was wholesale migration, racial 
animosity, blockbusting, panic peddling and mistrust. Cynthia Williams, 
a feisty teenage/young adult emerged as a leader of a group and the 
Austin Peoples Action Center was born, with support of the Williams 
family, the Mayfield Block Club and the Third Unitarian Church. The 
group took off with neighborhood programs, help for teenagers, block 
club organizing and other self-help activities, e.g. community 
festivals and the Taste of Austin which has occurred for more than 
thirty-five years in succession. Help for teenagers and young adults 
has evolved into Maternal and Child Health Programs and the largest WIC 
Program in the State of Illinois, Parenting Skills Development, 
Technology Training and other activities for youth.
  I take this opportunity to commend and congratulate Ms. Cynthia 
Williams and the Austin Peoples Action Center on 40 Years of Productive 
Service.

                          ____________________