[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 162 (Monday, September 20, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





       RECOGNIZING CONNIE BALLMER'S INCREDIBLE PHILANTHROPIC WORK

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 20, 2021

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Connie 
Ballmer for being the 2021 recipient of the YMCA's A.K. Guy Award, 
which is presented to an individual with outstanding volunteer service 
and dedication to social responsibility and equity and justice for all.
  Connie Ballmer founded the Ballmer Group in 2015 with the mission of 
giving every child an equal chance to achieve the American dream. Since 
then, the Ballmer Group has worked diligently to remove economic 
barriers that prevent children from having equal access to education 
opportunities, housing, childcare, mental health resources, and 
healthcare. The Ballmer Groups has changed systems to allow every child 
to have equitable opportunities. Making these investments in our 
children now gives them the best chance at a successful future.
  The Ballmer Group's mission has become even more important over the 
course of the COVID-19 pandemic, as millions of families faced further 
economic strain. Without the incredible work of the Ballmer Group and 
the leadership of Mrs. Ballmer during COVID-19, many children would 
have completely lost access to resources critical to their development.
  Under Connie's leadership, the Ballmer Group has been able to 
drastically change the lives of the next generation for the better. 
From making improvements to the foster care system to expanding access 
to behavioral health systems, the Ballmer Group has been on the 
forefront of tackling childhood poverty and ensuring every child has an 
equal chance to succeed.
  Madam Speaker, it is my privilege today to thank Connie Ballmer for 
the enormous contributions she has made to her community and 
congratulate her on being the 2021 recipient of the A.K. Guy Award.

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