[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 117 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      RECOGNIZING DANIELLE BLACK LYONS AS CONSTITUENT OF THE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2020

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to recognize 
Danielle Black Lyons, co-founder of Textured Waves and diversity 
activist in the surfing industry, as the Constituent of the Month for 
June.
   At a time when our country is undergoing a nationwide uprising to 
address police brutality and systemic racism in America, Ms. Lyons 
brought the heart of the Textured Waves community, the love of her 
culture, and surfing together to help organize a memorial paddle out in 
which thousands of fellow surfers recognized the life of George Floyd 
and others who have been killed at the hands of police. This powerful 
traditional surfing demonstration paid tribute to the Black Lives 
Matter movement and gave hope to our community as it struggles to 
address these critically important issues.
   A surfer herself, Danielle was tired of seeing only one image of 
surfers that didn't fit her own experience in the sport. Seeking to 
bridge the divide and show a more inclusive representation of women of 
color in the surfing community, Textured Waves was formed.
   The platform is an inclusive space for women of color surfers to 
come together for community, kinship, and camaraderie. It is a space 
that gives insights into diversifying the surf world with relevant 
resources, featured stories, imagery of women of color riding waves, 
and more.
   I applaud Danielle's spirit and activism and look forward to seeing 
what else she will do to make a positive impact on our community, the 
surfing industry, and this important movement going forward.
   I launched a Constituent of the Month program to recognize 
individuals who have gone above and beyond to make our region and our 
country a stronger place for everyone to live and thrive. As our nation 
and community works toward long overdue racial change and healing, 
voices like Danielle's must be lifted and echoed. I am honored to 
recognize Ms. Lyons as my Constituent of the Month, and I thank her for 
being a prominent actor in amplifying diversity in our surf culture and 
shining her light on this historic movement of change for America.

                          ____________________