[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E77]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING KAREN REINER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ANDY KIM

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2023

  Mr. KIM of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Karen 
Reiner, who is being honored as the 2023 Citizen of the Year for 
Moorestown, New Jersey. This year's award recognizes a Moorestown 
resident who has positively impacted the quality of life for everyone 
in our community.
  Karen's family raised her to have a deep sense of service and to look 
out for her surrounding community. This upbringing spurred her desire 
to always emulate the values she learned growing up--involvement, 
kindness, and service. She has dedicated her life to partnering with 
those in the community to create programs and environments where people 
know they can feel safe and respected.
  Karen both co-founded and served as President of MooreUnity, a non-
profit civic group centered on promoting inclusion within the 
community. Through her work building bridges across divides, MooreUnity 
has continued to support local efforts to root out prejudice and 
discrimination. Hosting about ten programs every year, MooreUnity 
provides discussion panels and workshops to learn about the damaging 
impact of discrimination as well as to teach people about how 
understanding and acceptance can bring people together in the face of 
injustice and hate. Karen has even helped children learn to interact 
with their peers as well and how to stand up to bullying and prejudice 
they experience or see thrust at others.
  In addition to MooreUnity, Karen is also working to heal political 
divides within our community. Through the Moorestown Braver Angel 
Alliance, she has hosted multiple workshops with Republicans and 
Democrats to learn and implement techniques to communicate effectively 
and civilly despite different political beliefs. As a co-founder and 
active member of the Moorestown Directory Group, Karen also works to 
bring people together from different walks of service including non-
profits, people interested and active in civic engagement, and 
religious groups to name a few.
  Beyond this work and these organizations, Karen also finds time to 
for local community service. She has served as a Girl Scout Troop 
leader and previously led an effort to place five kindness benches at 
each of the local elementary schools in Moorestown as well as the Jeff 
Young Park. Karen also works with numerous organizations centered on 
gun violence prevention including Sandy Hook Promise and Moms Demand 
Action.
  For years across multiple sectors, Karen has made Moorestown a better 
place and has been an example for so many in the volunteer community. 
Described as an inspiration, I am proud to congratulate Karen for 
winning the 2023 Citizen of the Year for Moorestown, New Jersey and 
thank her for her continued service to our community.

                          ____________________