[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 28, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING MS. SUZETTE COWELL'S COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2023

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History month this 
February, I rise today to recognize the lifetime of work of a precious 
local champion for the African American community in my hometown of 
Toledo, Ohio, Ms. Suzette Cowell.
  Suzette Cowell is the founding member and CEO of Toledo's Urban 
Federal Community Development Credit Union. This specialized credit 
union was created with a vision to help generate economic development 
and new opportunity. Suzette introduced fair credit to neighborhoods 
which had never experienced either before. In this locale, predatory 
lenders and financial loan sharks suck the lifeblood out of people and 
neighborhoods.
  With decades of experience in the financial arena, Ms. Cowell is a 
pioneering leader in Toledo--and has led this credit union into the 
multi-million-dollar community development institution it is today. 
This credit institution is a model for financial development and 
community development across our Nation.
  Her insight into the unmet needs and systemic issues that 
precipitated the founding of this successful credit union are essential 
to understanding America's history, and our Nation must build up to 
ensure all our residents are uplifted. No place in America should be 
absent the credit and credit counseling the Federal Urban Credit Union 
provides.
  I thank Suzette fo her astounding faith-filled leadership and 
opportunity she and her board and colleagues brought to our Toledo 
community.

                          ____________________