[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO PHYLLIS SALOWE-KAYE

 Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to 
recognize and celebrate Mrs. Phyllis Salowe-Kaye, an exemplary leader 
in New Jersey and a lifelong advocate for social and economic justice.
  Born and raised in Bradley Beach, Mrs. Salowe-Kaye graduated from 
Asbury Park High School and received her bachelor of arts in education 
from Boston University. In college, she began staging her first 
political actions: demonstrating against the Vietnam war and starting a 
``food fight'' to protest poor cafeteria options. After earning her 
diploma, Phyllis began a teaching career in the city of Newark, 
ultimately rising to become a leader in the Newark Teachers Union.
  It was in this role advocating for better conditions on behalf of her 
fellow educators that a fire was lit inside her. After nearly a decade 
as an elementary school teacher, she transitioned to organizing for 
more affordable housing. First as president of the tenant association 
in her building, then with the local tenants association in the city of 
Orange, and finally as head of the New Jersey Tenants Organization, 
Mrs, Salowe-Kaye's commitment to social activism and public advocacy 
was formed.
  For the last 35 years, Mrs. Salowe-Kaye has capably led New Jersey 
Citizen Action--NJCA--the Garden State's largest and oldest multi-issue 
nonprofit organization. As a champion for fairness and justice, she has 
brought to the forefront many of the quality-of-life issues that are 
most important to New Jersey's residents. From healthcare to housing, 
environmental protections to a living wage, Mrs. Salowe-Kaye has 
consistently marshalled the full force of her organization's 60,000 
members to move the needle on issues and push our State forward.
  Of her many crowning achievements, she has successfully leveraged the 
Federal Community Reinvestment Act to secure more than $30 billion in 
commitments from local banks. These commitments have opened doors of 
opportunities for thousands of low-income families, women, and 
minorities who have been able to access financial tools including 
housing counseling, affordable mortgages, and more.
  In addition to her public advocacy and leadership in civil society, 
Mrs. Salowe-Kaye has sat on too many councils, boards, and task forces 
to list. However, among other roles, she has proudly served as a 
trustee of the Teacher's Pension and Annuity Fund, a commissioner for 
New Jersey's Public Broadcasting Authority, and a member of the Federal 
Reserve Community Advisory Council during the Obama administration.
  In 2012, I was honored to recognize her work by presenting her with a 
Trailblazer Award at my annual Women's History Month celebration. Since 
then, not only has she continued to demonstrate visionary leadership, 
genuine care, and selfless commitment, she has also grown the reach and 
influence of New Jersey Citizen Action. For this and for all she has 
done to distinguish herself as a passionate leader, I am honored to 
recognize her with these remarks which will live on forever in the 
Congressional Record.
  Today, I join her loving husband of 47 years, Mr. Stewart Kaplowitz; 
her children Joanna and Zachary; and her three grandchildren in 
thanking Mrs. Phyllis Salowe-Kaye for her lifelong service as a 
community leader who has never stopped fighting for a better New Jersey 
for all.

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