[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 113 (Thursday, June 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E553-E554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE OF SAINT PAUL PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD CHAIR MARNY XIONG

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 18, 2020

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, today I rise to honor the life of Ms. 
Marny Xiong, Chairwoman of the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of 
Education who passed away from COVID-19 at the age of 31 on Sunday, 
June 7, 2020. Ms. Xiong was a trailblazing young activist, community 
leader, and a dedicated advocate for young people and strong public 
schools. Gender equity and racial justice were the core values that 
defined her public service.
  After receiving her bachelor's degree in political science and 
African and African-American studies, Ms. Xiong began working in the 
local nonprofit community. In 2017 she was elected to the Saint Paul 
Public Schools Board of Education, demonstrating strong advocacy to 
improve our public schools. She played an important role in building 
support necessary to pass a bond referendum in 2018 that directed 
needed additional needed funding to Saint Paul schools.
  When Ms. Xiong became Chairwoman of the Board in January of this 
year, her leadership abilities became evident as she confronted dual 
crises of the district's first ever teachers' strike and the COVID-19 
pandemic. Ms. Xiong worked respectfully and collaboratively with 
Superintendent Joe Gothard and labor leaders to reach a successful 
resolution to the strike in early March. Only a short time later, in 
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped to steer the district's 
unprecedented transition to distance learning for more than 37,000 
students. It is heartbreaking that this pandemic has now taken one of 
our community's rising leaders.
  Ms. Xiong is survived by her parents, Mr. Zahoua Xiong and See Xiong, 
and her seven siblings: two sisters and five brothers, as well as two 
brothers-in-law, a sister-in-law, four nieces and nephews. Marny will 
be remembered as a caring community organizer, a

[[Page E554]]

fierce fighter for all children and a selfless public servant. We mourn 
the loss of a young woman, a rising leader in our community. Her legacy 
is an inspiration to us all.
  Please join me to celebrate the life of Ms. Marny Xiong and her work 
to create a brighter future for all students.

                          ____________________