[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 171 (Wednesday, October 18, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E987-E988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING ALYSSA MILANO'S SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 18, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I rise today to recognize 
Alyssa Milano, an actress, producer, writer and activist who has used 
her platform for decades to promote social causes and provide a voice 
to those who are not heard. Her trailblazing work both nationally and 
internationally is worthy of commendation.
  Alyssa's activist career started as a young woman when she made an 
appearance on the The Phil Donahue Show with Ryan White, a young man 
who had been diagnosed with AIDS and forced out of his public school in 
Indiana. A kiss on the cheek to showcase that AIDS could not be 
contracted from simple skin-to-skin contact was the beginning of almost 
40 years of activism coinciding with her incredible career in movies, 
television, books, and podcasts. In 2017, a post by Alyssa relaunched 
the #MeToo movement, encouraging survivors of sexual harassment and 
assault to speak up and bring awareness to the commonality of these sex 
crimes to the public. To this day, Alyssa remains an active and 
effective voice in the #MeToo movement.
  In 2013, Alyssa created the comic book series Hackivist, which 
explored the modern world of hacking and global activism. In 2019, she 
released a children's book Hope: Project Middle School Book which is 
part of her `Hope' book series which she co-authors with Debbie Rigaud. 
Alyssa also hosts the podcast Alyssa Milano: Sorry Not Sorry which 
deals with social and political commentary and frequently features 
fellow actors, activists, and political luminaries. Following the 
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, Alyssa co-founded #NoRA, 
a coalition of artists, activists, and survivors of gun violence in an 
effort to reduce the influence of the National Rifle Association in 
American government. In her current role as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 
for the United States of America, she continues to champion civil 
rights and charitable causes around the world.
  Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, I ask my colleagues to join me today in 
celebrating the lifetime of work that Alyssa Milano has been kind 
enough to share with us. Wildly successful in her long professional 
career, Alyssa could have rested on her laurels and had an easy life. 
Instead, she has taken her platform at every stage in her career and 
used it to fight for good and what is right. I thank Alyssa, and we 
excited to see what more she can accomplish in the coming decades.

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