[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 119 (Monday, June 29, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING BUFFY JAMISON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2020

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the U.S. House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Buffy Jamison, co-founder and 
co-chair of the Iowa Queer Communities of Color Coalition, as our Iowan 
of the Week for the final full week of Pride Month.
  Pride 2020 has looked a little different than in years past. While 
the parades and events did not occur as originally planned, people of 
all genders and sexual orientations are still celebrating the 
tremendous strides and achievements that the LGBTQIA+ community has 
made throughout our history.
  The observance of Pride means both commemorating the anniversary of 
the Stonewall Riots, which began on June 28, 1969, as well as 
celebrating achievement, diversity, and acceptance of our LGBTQIA+ 
friends and family. Pride also reminds us that the fight for equality 
of opportunity and justice for all is not yet complete. Even fifty 
years later, the same rejection of police brutality and discrimination 
is at the forefront of our conscience, as an intersectional issue, and 
protests and activism are once again promoting necessary reform.
  That's why I've chosen Buffy as our Iowan of the Week. With the Iowa 
Queer Communities of Color Coalition, she works to address the inequity 
of services, socioeconomic disparities, and institutional racism 
experienced by communities through education, advocacy, intentional 
inclusivity, and organizing.
  Buffy is a native Iowan who has worked both in a leadership role 
within community organizations and as an educator. After receiving her 
Master's in Higher Education from the University of Denver, Buffy 
returned to Iowa to dedicate her time and efforts to helping educate 
the general public about our marginalized communities who are too often 
overlooked in vital conversations and policymaking.
  As Program Coordinator and LGBTQ Healthcare Liaison working with One 
Iowa, Buffy has helped train thousands of people on issues of 
intersectionality and inclusion. By emphasizing education that exposes 
individuals to issues they may not come into contact within their own 
lives, she has been a leader in our state--making sure the voices of 
those long ignored by history are brought to the forefront.
  Buffy works every single day to ensure our society actively considers 
the work still to be done. By shining a light on the challenges still 
ahead, and instructing our friends and neighbors on meaningful actions 
that can be undertaken at every level, she helps move us toward 
achieving a more perfect union.
  In honor of Buffy's contributions to our state, and the work she puts 
in every day, I'm proud to name her Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________