[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING JOANNE EPPS, PRESIDENT, TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DWIGHT EVANS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of 
JoAnne Epps who passed away unexpectedly on September 19, 2023, while 
serving as President of Temple University, in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania. JoAnne Epps was an exceptional leader who left an 
indelible impact on Temple University and the Philadelphia community at 
large.
  JoAnne Epps was a true embodiment of everything that is great about 
Temple University. She exemplified grace, passion, humor, humility, 
empathy, energy, intelligence and so many of the values and ideals that 
Temple University holds dear.
  JoAnne dedicated so much of herself to Temple, as a professor and 
administrator. Her journey from working in the bookstore over 40 years 
ago to holding the esteemed position of University President was an 
inspiration to all.
  During her tenure as the Dean of Temple Law School, JoAnne proved to 
be a strong partner in our judicial education efforts. She relentlessly 
worked towards preparing the next generation of legal professionals, 
ensuring that they would become active members of the organized bar.
  JoAnne is credited for so much more than her legal expertise and 
academic administration. Many acknowledge her passion for people, 
especially African American women, their relationships, and 
opportunities, and how she could help them advance social justice and 
equality. During an interview in 2014, she is quoted as saying, ``Too 
often it doesn't even occur to women that they can run the world.''
  Her professional accomplishments are numerous and include being the 
first African-American woman to serve as President of Temple 
University. JoAnne was among those considered for the U.S. Supreme 
Court by President Barack Obama. She was named one of the 100 most 
influential Black lawyers in the country by several publications and 
won the 2014 Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award from the 
Philadelphia Bar Association.
  JoAnne's legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched. Her 
memory will forever remain in our hearts, and her contributions will 
continue to inspire generations to come.

                          ____________________