[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 120 (Thursday, July 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E671-E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING SISTER RICHELLE FRIEDMAN FOR HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 13, 2023

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my heartfelt 
congratulations and deepest thanks to Sister Richelle Friedman, PBVM, 
as the Coalition on Human Needs honors her as their 2023 Human Needs 
Hero, for her years of extraordinary advocacy, analysis, coalition 
building, and leadership on a wide range of issues at the federal 
level.
  Since arriving in Washington, DC in 1980, Sister Richelle has been a 
passionate champion and a tireless advocate for all Americans most in 
need. For more than 30 years Sister Richelle has focused her energies 
and commitment to expanding opportunities for people

[[Page E672]]

experiencing poverty and other vulnerable populations. She fought for 
justice through her years of work at NETWORK, a Catholic Social Justice 
Lobby, the McAuley Institute, the Children's Defense Fund, and the 
Coalition on Human Needs. As the founder and leader of the SAVE for All 
Campaign (Strengthening America's Values and Economy for All), Sister 
Richelle has been a driving force for better public policy and an 
essential educator for Members on human needs programs, which is key in 
promoting and enacting good public policy.
  Over the years, I have been proud to work with Sister Richelle 
Friedman on programs of mutual interest and concern. She has been a 
tireless champion of meeting human needs through investments in housing 
and programs to reduce poverty and hunger. She has been a strong voice 
of conscience, urging Congress towards equity, demanding that the rich 
and corporate interests pay their fair share of taxes and do not profit 
unfairly from government contracts. Sister Richelle has unfailingly 
conveyed reliable evidence that increasing tax credits for low- and 
moderate-income families, expanding access to food assistance and 
health insurance, ensuring justice for immigrants, and building 
economic opportunity for all are investments that help our nation move 
forward, leaving no one behind.
  Through her decades of advocacy, she has helped members of Congress 
understand that increased wages, family supports such as childcare and 
paid leave, adequate retirement benefits and civil rights protections 
are the goals we must reach, no matter how long it takes. As a stalwart 
defender of the needs of those experiencing poverty, Sister Richelle 
has earned the praise of fellow advocacy organizations, the respect of 
ideological opponents, and the friendship of many of us on Capitol 
Hill.
  I am honored to have this opportunity to stand today and pay tribute 
to Sister Richelle Friedman for her hard work and thank her for her 
commitment to social justice. She has left an indelible mark and set a 
standard of compassion, service, and advocacy to which we should all 
strive.

                          ____________________