[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 168 (Tuesday, October 25, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING TURNER MORGAN AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2022

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Turner Morgan as 
Iowan of the Week. Turner was born in Council Bluffs, attended Lewis 
Central High School, and currently lives in Council Bluffs with his 
wife Abby and his son JJ Murphy. Turner serves the public as the 
Neighborhood Coordinator for the non-profit The 712 Initiative by 
bringing people together and strengthening the Council Bluffs community 
in creative and innovative ways.
  After graduating from Creighton University, Turner began working for 
Habitat for Humanity in Omaha. With Habitat for Humanity, he helped 
coordinate thousands of volunteers building affordable housing for low-
income individuals. Turner remains grateful for the opportunity to help 
those in need, while gaining a greater understanding of the challenges 
involved with affordable housing.
  Turner came to The 712 Initiative in Council Bluffs three years ago, 
serving as their Neighborhood Coordinator. Turner took the initiative 
to go door to door to meet people where they are and identify the needs 
of the Council Bluffs community. Increased social connectivity and 
neighborhood development were two common themes that persisted in these 
conversations, and so Turner began working to help improve these areas. 
Turner, alongside fellow 712 Initiative staff, crafted popular social 
engagement programming to increase community connectivity. High in 
popularity is their Block Party Trailer, which The 712 Initiative 
provides freely so that neighborhoods can put on a block party to get 
people out of their homes and connect with their neighbors. By removing 
some of the logistical barriers to community organizing, Turner and The 
712 Initiative have helped people know one another better and 
facilitate more collaborative neighborhoods.
  Turner plans to continue working with The 712 Initiative to improve 
housing development as well. The organization has renovated a number of 
properties in the Council Bluffs area in need of substantial 
improvements. These renovations not only directly improve the quality 
of those homes but also indirectly improves the quality of the homes 
surrounding it.
  Turner Morgan has demonstrated his passion and commitment to serving 
the public in Council Bluffs during his time with The 712 Initiative. 
His service for others deserves recognition, and I am proud to be 
naming Turner Morgan as Iowan of the Week.

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