[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 65 (Thursday, April 15, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E400-E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING CORA CRAWFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2021

  Mr. RUIZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor my constituent, Mrs. Cora 
Crawford and celebrate her incredible life and legacy.
  Mrs. Crawford moved to Palm Springs in the 1950s from Carthage, 
Texas, where she began her lifelong work as a community advocate. She 
attended the College of the Desert where she obtained her teaching 
credentials and a masters in education. As a substitute teacher in the 
City of Palm Springs, Mrs. Crawford was a devoted educator who put her 
heart and soul into every class she taught.

[[Page E401]]

  Mrs. Crawford carried her passion for education and community 
development with her outside of the classroom. She served as the local 
director for the Child Development Center and worked hard to secure the 
resources local students needed to succeed. In fact, she was a key 
advocate in obtaining $350,000 in federal dollars from the Community 
Development Block Grant to benefit Desert Highland Park. Thanks to her 
efforts, Desert Highland Park now offers essential community services 
for local students and their families, including recreational, 
educational, and vocational programs.
  The legacy of Mrs. Crawford's work is incredible. In the 1980s, she 
helped organize the very first Black History Month Parade in Palm 
Springs--a parade our community continues to proudly host each year. In 
all her years of volunteering and service, her tremendous work did not 
go unnoticed. The Palm Springs City Council and the California Baptist 
Convention Women's Auxiliary awarded her numerous conunendations. In 
1997, she was honored with the Terra Volunteer Award from the Palm 
Springs Chamber of Commerce. In 2012, she was recognized yet again for 
her commitment as a community leader and educator when Riverside County 
awarded her the Community Service Award.
  Mrs. Crawford is survived by her children, Benita, Gil, Gwendolyn, 
and Randy. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren, Symeyon, 
Kenneth, Jarvis, Kristen, Usavia, Nyssa, Kyle, Deiter, and Javanni. I 
extend my deepest condolence to each of them. I also want to share my 
special condolences and support for my friend and her grandson, Jarvis. 
He, like his grandmother, continues to advocate for his community 
through social justice initiatives and uphold her legacy of making sure 
those who are in need, can find solace in community.
  May Mrs. Crawford's work continue to uplift and inspire.

                          ____________________