[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 114 (Friday, June 30, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ALDERWOMAN SCHEKETA HART-BURNS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FOSTER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 30, 2023

  Mr. FOSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
my dear friend Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns and to recognize the 
important contributions she made to the City of Aurora, Illinois.
  Mrs. Scheketa Hart-Burns was born in Fort Meyers, Florida on December 
1, 1954, and moved to the City of Aurora in 1978 making it her home and 
her community. She dedicated herself to improving the lives of 
residents in the city she loved.
  Alderwoman Hart-Burns is a history-making, award-winning elected 
official, community leader and mentor to many. She holds the 
distinction of being the first African American elected to Aurora City 
Council in 1991, originally in the 6th Ward. When the 7th Ward was 
added, she became its alderwoman. The ward is on the east side of 
Aurora, south of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad line. She 
was also appointed the first-ever African American Mayor pro term from 
2016-2017.
  A stalwart figure in the community, Alderwoman Hart-Burns spearheaded 
and served as a member and advisor to dozens of organizations and 
initiatives for Ward 7 residents and the City of Aurora as a whole.
  Her ward and neighborhood initiatives include establishing a ward 
committee and several apartment-complex resident councils, establishing 
community gardens, and hosting annual holiday programs for Ward 7 
communities.
  Citywide she started the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon, 
started the effort to install commemorative street signs for prominent 
Black residents, established the annual citywide Black History Program, 
hosted annual holiday musicals for food pantries, and made holiday 
dinners for senior citizens and disabled persons.
  She was especially committed to helping Aurora's children, founding 
many programs to help youth and their families. These include founding 
the Back-to-School Bash at Martin Luther King Park, which serves more 
than 5,000 students, co-founding the annual Coats-for-Kids drive which 
provides winter coats, hats, and gloves to thousands of students, 
acting as founding advisor and Mother Emeritus of Boys II Men, Inc., 
mentoring Aurora University Students pursuing degrees in social work, 
and co-founding the City of Aurora's STEAM Academy.
  Alderwoman Hart-Burns was also involved in organizations serving 
surrounding communities, including working as the Chairperson of the 
Circle of Wise Women for the Kane County Health Department and the 
Chairperson of Weed and Seed with the Kane County State's Attorney's 
Office. She was a Board member and Advisor of the Quad County Urban 
League for 33 years, a founding Advisor for the City's African American 
Heritage Advisory Board, a member of the League of United Latin 
American Citizens, and a board member of the Marie Wilkinson Food 
Pantry and Childcare Center.
  Alderwoman Scheketa Hart-Burns had a strong faith and was an 
Evangelist Missionary at Greater Mount Olive Church of God In Christ.
  I am proud to represent Aurora, and I am grateful for the service and 
kindness Mrs. Scheketa Hart-Burns has shown over the years. Mrs. 
Scheketa Hart-Burns is an Aurora legend, and her commitment and 
contribution to the city will never be forgotten. I offer my 
condolences to her family and to the city for the loss of this 
trailblazer, and I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating my dear 
friend Scheketa Hall-Burns' incredible life.

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