[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 110 (Monday, June 15, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING IZAAH KNOX AS THE IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 15, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing lzaah Knox, community leader 
and Executive Director of Des Moines' own Urban Dreams, as our Iowan of 
the Week.
  Service for the betterment of others is more than a hallmark of 
lzaah's career: it's his lifestyle. He's the epitome of a ``walk the 
walk'' leader--involved in all manners of activities intended to 
educate, empower, and raise up individuals in his community.
  In his role as Executive Director of Urban Dreams, he leads a team of 
similarly dedicated Iowans within the heart of urban Des Moines to 
provide human service programs to the underserved and underrepresented. 
The non-profit offers critical services like outpatient substance abuse 
treatment and OWI weekend diversion classes, employment and after-
school IT programs, community-police relations initiatives, mental 
health treatment, and nonpartisan voter education. They're currently 
working on a project to build a community park adjacent to the Urban 
Dreams building so neighbors can gather, celebrate, and engage with one 
another. Despite narrow operating margins and much to do, lzaah is 
consistently finding ways to strengthen and expand programming to serve 
more Iowans in need.
  Outside of Urban Dreams, lzaah sits on many boards and commissions 
working to raise awareness and combat issues of poverty, substance 
abuse, racial injustice, and urban blight. He's a past chair and 
current commissioner on the Des Moines Human and Civil Rights 
Commission, a Social Capital Tri-Chair for the Capital Crossroads 
project to address diversity and inclusion within metro Des Moines, and 
a board member for The Guardian Project to strengthen ties between Des 
Moines Police officers and community members. While there are more 
formal roles to mention, I'd rather note how lzaah also spends mornings 
having breakfast with students at Des Moines North High School. His 
efforts to make meaningful connections and address tough issues head on 
are leadership in action.
  This honor today is hardly the first to recognize the unique 
determination and impact of lzaah Knox. In 2012, he was awarded the 
United States of America President's Volunteer Service Award, and in 
2013 he was named one of Iowa's most influential people by the Des 
Moines Register. In 2016 he became one of the Des Moines Business 
Record's Forty Under 40. Central Iowa is watching this leader grow and 
recognizing his accomplishments along the way, and for very good 
reason.
  Our future as a nation depends on the strength of our neighborhoods 
and communities; that's never been more evident than during these past 
few months. As COVID-19 spread, lzaah and the Urban Dreams team kept 
serving those in need by giving away free, hot meals in Evelyn K. Davis 
Park, providing mental health and substance abuse services through 
telehealth, and meeting in smaller groups to continue workforce 
training. And as protesters took to the streets following George 
Floyd's murder, lzaah has been there night after night to protect and 
support the youth voices leading the movement. His steady presence and 
dedication are helping guide Des Moines through these uncertain times.
  Advocates like lzaah--those who are passionate about lifelong 
learning, connecting with people, and doing the work--are our most 
valuable agents of change. They push all of us to reflect on where we 
can be giving more of ourselves to make things better for those around 
us. We need people like lzaah to keep us moving forward. We need 
organizations like Urban Dreams to thrive so the individuals they serve 
can meet their highest potential. When we lift up one another, the 
whole community does better. That's something lzaah Knox not only 
understands, but also embodies, and it is my distinct honor to 
recognize him as our Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________