[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 60 (Thursday, April 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE, LEGACY, AND SERVICE OF MR. KIRK MEYERS-HILL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JASMINE CROCKETT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 6, 2023

  Ms. CROCKETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my 
friend and community champion, Kirk Meyers-Hill, who passed away on 
Monday, April 3, 2023.
  Mr. Meyers-Hill was a true servant leader across the South Dallas 
community who made it his mission to uplift the needs of others. He'll 
be remembered for his dedicated service to the LGBTQ+ community and his 
strides in strengthening our neighborhoods across Dallas. It is the 
passion and love for people that made him the outstanding leader he 
was.
  In 2005, Mr. Meyers-Hill founded Abounding Prosperity, Inc., an 
organization that remains a beacon of hope and resource throughout the 
community. Through AP, he remained diligent in being a tireless 
advocate for the health and wellness of the Black family, particularly 
Black LGBTQ+ neighbors in Dallas. Specifically, he and his organization 
served as a hub for providing much-needed services such as HIV/STI 
testing & screening, HEP C screening, pREP education, and much more. 
During the recent Monkeypox outbreak, Mr. Meyers-Hill and his team 
quickly sprang into action by providing education and serving as one of 
the main centers for vaccinations.
  In addition to his service with Abounding Prosperity, Inc., Mr. 
Meyers-Hill served as President of Dallas Southern Pride which is an 
annual celebration and outlet for Black LGBTQ+ neighbors to celebrate 
who they are. This annual event has only grown under the leadership of 
Kirk and as a result, has become one of the premier events for Black 
LGBTQ+ neighbors across the country. Outside of the celebration, Dallas 
Southern Pride embraces the strong impact our LGBTQ+ neighbors have had 
on history locally in Dallas, nationally, and internationally.
  Mr. Meyers-Hill was not only a great non-profit leader, but 
unequivocally known as an advocate for our community in every 
situation. He continuously kept a smile on his face and strived to make 
a difference in the lives of others. His generous and warm spirit is 
what I believe will keep us strong as a community, especially for those 
who had the pleasure of knowing him. I am confident in the fact that 
our LGBTQ+ community in Dallas is where it is today only because of 
Kirk Meyers-Hill and his trailblazing work.
  These remarks stand as a testament to the life, legacy, and service 
of Kirk, who so profoundly touched the lives of so many people. My 
thoughts and prayers are with his husband, Ricky, and his entire family 
and community of loved ones whom he impacted through his work. The 
Bible reminds us in Psalms 30:5 that ``weeping may endure for a night, 
but joy cometh in the morning.'' Today, and in the days to come, I pray 
that God will comfort his family and friends with the peace that 
passes, knowing that despite our time of sadness, Kirk Meyers-Hill 
lived a purposeful life of service and changed countless lives for the 
better.

                          ____________________