[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 30, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H5058-H5059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING THE DIOL FAMILY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Crow) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, in the early morning hours of August 5, five 
Senegalese immigrants, including an infant and a toddler, died in an 
arson fire in their Denver home. The victims deserve to be recognized.
  Djibril Diol, who was 30 years old, immigrated to the United States 
from Senegal 10 years ago to make a better life for himself and his 
family. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in 
civil engineering and was an outstanding student with a bright future 
ahead of him.
  He was well loved by his family and friends. His brother described 
him as ``a good person, a good worker, and a good Muslim.'' A coworker 
said that Djibril ``was a way better man than I will ever be.''
  Djibril's wife, Adja, and 2-year-old daughter, Khadija, also died in 
the fire, as did Coumba Diol Hassan, Djibril's sister, and Hawa Beye, 
her 10-month-old son.
  We don't know what motivated this attack, but it has deeply shaken 
our African immigrant community and left them feeling unsafe. While 
this was a tragic incident, and we mourn for the family, I want to 
emphasize the strength and resilience of our African immigrant 
community.
  As a case in point, the African Leadership Group, ALG, a local 
nonprofit that provides a wide variety of vital services to our 
immigrant neighbors, has consoled and supported the Diol family and 
kept pressure on law enforcement to solve this horrific crime. Led by 
Papa Dia, who is a native of Senegal himself, I thank them for their 
service.


                    Recognizing Stanley Marketplace

  Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Stanley Marketplace, a community-focused urban 
market in Aurora, Colorado.
  Located in northwest Aurora on the border of Denver's Central Park 
neighborhood, Stanley Marketplace is a community of businesses and 
people who believe in doing things differently--sustainably, 
creatively, and with more than the bottom line in mind.
  The marketplace's 22-acre site was once the site of the Stanley 
Aviation factory. It is now a community gathering place, home to 50 
independently owned Colorado businesses.
  Today, the same innovative spirit that once filled Stanley's building 
has been harnessed to offer our community an urban marketplace 
featuring goods and services from local independent businesses.
  The property includes a 30,000-square-foot sustainable greenhouse and 
an urban farm. Under construction is an inclusive playground where 
children of all abilities can play.

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  During the pandemic, the Stanley Marketplace team has gone above and 
beyond to support its community of small business owners, helping them 
weather the continued challenges of COVID-19.
  Stanley Marketplace is guided by a document they call the Stanifesto, 
which includes these lines:

       We believe the best rules are simple and clear: Love your 
     neighbor. Leave each place better than you found it. Be good 
     and do good.

  I congratulate the Stanley team on their ongoing work to support our 
neighbors and locally owned small businesses.


    Honoring the Tireless Workers in Colorado During the 2020 Census

  Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the 
accomplishments of organizations in my district that have worked 
tirelessly to promote and ensure their communities are counted in the 
2020 Census.
  With over 800,000 citizens and 160 languages spoken in my district, 
making sure that every single resident is counted is difficult work. 
With the help of many hardworking organizations, Colorado's Sixth 
District has a self-response rate of 76.5 percent, surpassing its 2010 
rate and surpassing the State average of 69.5 percent. In fact, it 
holds the highest response rate of any Colorado congressional district.
  I would particularly like to acknowledge the following 11 
organizations for their help in spreading awareness: Together We Count, 
the Asian Pacific Development Center, the Oromo Community of Colorado, 
The ARC of Aurora, the Aurora Economic Opportunity Coalition, the 
Mosaic Church of Aurora, the African Chamber of Commerce in Colorado, 
the Village Exchange Center, the City of Aurora, Arapahoe County, and 
Mi Pueblo Market.
  These organizations truly make a difference in my district for their 
tireless work in the 2020 Census.


                 Honoring Mary Hodge on Her Retirement

  Mr. CROW. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Mrs. Mary Hodge, a former State legislator and 
current Adams County commissioner, and congratulate her on her upcoming 
retirement.
  Commissioner Hodge is a Colorado native, who has dedicated her career 
to making an impact in her home State. Mary, among many things, is a 
former State representative in the Sixth District of Colorado and a 
county commissioner. Mary has also taught first grade in Greeley and 
preschool in Glenwood Springs.
  Mary went on to own and operate a motel in Wyoming and worked for 
several businesses. Her public service began in 2000, when she was 
elected as a Colorado State representative.
  As a servant leader, Commissioner Hodge is a tireless champion for 
education and small businesses. I commend Mary for her support for the 
Colorado Air and Space Port. Her steadfast advocacy was integral in 
bringing that project to fruition.
  Commissioner Hodge's diverse professional background and leadership 
experience has benefited our community for many years.
  I congratulate Commissioner Mary Hodge on her retirement and thank 
her for her service to our community and to Adams County.

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