[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 205 (Wednesday, December 13, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATING THE 6TH ANNIVERSARY OF BORICUACTIVATED

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BRENDAN F. BOYLE

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 13, 2023

  Mr. BOYLE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, when most people imagine 
American democracy, they picture the House, Senate, or the President 
and the work that we do as lawmakers to enact critical legislation to 
carry out the Nation's business. Or maybe they imagine themselves and 
their friends and neighbors in the voting booth, casting ballots that 
will determine the make-up of government at the state, local, and 
federal levels.
  To me, however, American democracy also takes another form: the 
ongoing dialogue between citizens and public servants like us they 
elect to represent them. In these conversations we learn our 
constituents' hopes and dreams for the future, learn to make their 
priorities our priorities, and live up to our founders' ideal that the 
people should be allowed--and encouraged--to petition their government.
  That is true civic engagement; and that idea is at the heart of 
BoricuActivatEd, a stellar, Philadelphia-based volunteer-run 
organization that is now celebrating its 6th year.
  The organization was created during the tragedies of Hurricanes Maria 
and Irma which struck Puerto Rico in 2017, killing an estimated 3,000 
people and leading to the longest power blackout in U.S. history. The 
group was created to mobilize people across the country to advocate for 
needed disaster aid and was immediately successful in marshaling the 
combined voice of the Puerto Rican Diaspora. They made their power felt 
and demonstrated that civic engagement works.
  Through their civic engagement workshops, BoricuActivatEd has 
provided over 4,000 individuals with the tools they need to make their 
voices heard. Thanks to BoricuActivatEd's tireless efforts, countless 
more high school students, former juvenile offenders, and community 
members from across the country will have the opportunity and ability 
to advocate for the issues important to them. And their elected 
officials are listening. Indeed, I can personally attest, having 
participated in their workshops, how effective and valuable these 
sessions can be.
  As it enters its seventh year, BoricuActivatEd continues to grow its 
programs, developing new curricula for high school students--including 
the Esperanza Academy in my district--and expanding their programs into 
new cities, to empower the next generation of Americans.
  By training people of all ages and securing the participation of 
elected officials at all levels of government, BoricuActivatEd embodies 
civic engagement and community empowerment at its finest.
  I am proud to congratulate BoricuActivatEd on their 6th anniversary 
and wish them every success as they embark on new accomplishments in 
the years ahead.

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