[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E157]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO BEN MONTGOMERY ``A GOOD MAN''

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                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2021

  Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute 
to a good man. Mr. Benny M. Montgomery. Benny was born and raised on 
the Westside of Chicago, graduated from Farragut High School with 
honors and attended Roosevelt University where he received a bachelor's 
degree in Public Administration. Benny was always interested in Public 
Affairs and started work with Congresswoman Cardiss Collins where he 
remained for 16 years until she retired. In 1997, Benny began work for 
and with Congressman Danny K. Davis when he became a legend among 
social activists, health activist, and especially HIV-AIDS activists. 
Benny was as solid as a rock, had a very creative mind and used his 
talents to the utmost. He was a key organizer of the Westside Aids Task 
Force, worked with other HIV groups such as Howard Brown, the Ruth 
Rothstein Core Center, did training and Sunday afternoon forums at 
churches. Ben became the voice and face, the black leader of the fight 
against AIDS and HIV in the 7th District and citywide. Benny 
Montgomery, Mark Loveless, and Michael O'Conner became known as the 3 
musketeers in the fight against AIDS. Ben came up with the Red Ribbon 
Lottery Ticket as a way of raising money for HIV-AIDS awareness 
organizations whose budgets were 100,000 dollars or less. The first 
year it generated 1.4 million and the second year 2.4 million. Ben 
helped create and led the 7th CD Task Force on Fathers and Families. 
Today it is a full fledged 501 C3 Tax Exempt Organization under the 
leadership of Rev. Walter Jones. After 31 years of working for the U.S. 
House of Representatives, Ben retired at the age of 48, but kept 
working until the Lord ordered his steps to cease on December 13, 2020 
at the age of 58, may he rest in peace.
  The Bible says that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord

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