[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H750]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       COMMENDING YASMEEN BANKOLE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Yasmeen 
Bankole, who is here with us today with her mother, Victoria, in the 
gallery.
  Yasmeen is a public servant who always shows up for her neighbors in 
Illinois District Three. Yasmeen is a longtime resident of Hanover 
Park, calling it home for over 20 years. At the age of 27, Ms. 
Bankole's commitment to her community pushed her to serve as the 
village trustee of Hanover Park, becoming the first and only Nigerian 
American elected official in Illinois.
  As a founding member of Black Women Who Lead, Yasmeen empowers and 
supports Illinois Black women to succeed in elected and leadership 
roles.
  Ms. Bankole also serves in Illinois District Three and the 
surrounding region in Illinois as the regional director for U.S. 
Senator Dick Durbin and as the economic development chair of the NAACP 
DuPage County Branch.
  Yasmeen brightens every room she walks into, and she inspires others.
  Today, on behalf of Illinois District Three, it is my honor to 
present Yasmeen with a commendation for her contributions to our 
community and for her commitment to public service, equity, and 
justice.
  I congratulate Yasmeen.


                     Recognizing Michael Childress

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I also rise in commendation of Michael 
Childress, a leader dedicated to our multicultural, multiracial 
democracy.
  A longtime resident of DuPage County, Mr. Childress is the first-ever 
Black member of the DuPage County Board, where he serves as vice chair 
and represents families from Bloomingdale, Bensenville, Addison, and 
Wood Dale.
  Michael also serves as the president of the DuPage County Branch of 
the NAACP. Under his leadership, the organization has assisted Black-
owned businesses and entrepreneurs in our community, expanded voter 
participation, and offered mentorship opportunities to involve youth of 
diverse backgrounds in leadership and our democracy.
  Mr. Childress also spearheads efforts to combat domestic violence, 
serving on the board of directors of one of the largest domestic 
violence advocacy agencies in Chicago, Family Rescue.
  Therefore, for his contributions to Illinois District Three, our 
youth, and our multicultural democracy, I am honored to recognize 
Michael Childress.


                          Thanking Dara Munson

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dara Munson.
  Dara is a nonprofit leader who has provided constituents with 
lifesaving services and opportunities to thrive for more than 25 years.
  Native to Detroit, Ms. Munson moved to Chicago when she became the 
CEO of the Chicago Child Care Center. Under her leadership, the 
organization became one with Family Focus, expanding services for over 
20,000 children and families.
  As the president and CEO of Family Focus, she also serves families in 
my district as the vice chair of the International Women's Forum and 
the founding member of the Early Childhood Education CEO Roundtable.
  In her own words, it is her goal to see families receive equitable 
support and resources so they may realize their dreams and the dreams 
of their ancestors.
  In the name of my constituents, it is my great honor to thank and 
recognize Dara for her contributions.


                     Commending Emanuel Chris Welch

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in commendation to the Honorable 
one and only Speaker Emmanuel Chris Welch for his historic and 
inspirational service to the families of Illinois.
  Speaker Welch, a dear colleague and a fierce advocate of racial 
equity, serves as the first-ever Black speaker of the Illinois House of 
Representatives.
  Speaker Welch has led historic legislation to provide immigrants, 
independently of legal status, access to driver's licenses; combat 
homelessness in our State; and create an elected school board for 
Chicago.
  I was honored to serve as assistant speaker of the house as part of 
his leadership team, where we were able to approve a ban on assault 
weapons, invest in green jobs, and reform our criminal justice system.
  We thank Speaker Welch for his brave leadership and unwavering 
commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, justice, and dignity for all 
Illinoisans.


                       Honoring Toni Preckwinkle

  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the Cook County Board 
president, Toni Preckwinkle.
  From five terms as alderperson to becoming the first Black woman 
president of Cook County Board and overseeing the Nation's second most 
populous county, President Preckwinkle has proven her dedication to our 
communities.
  President Preckwinkle believes, like I do, that healthcare is a human 
right. Under her leadership, Cook County has expanded healthcare to 
600,000 residents of Cook County, regardless of citizenship status.
  Her work also extends to the criminal justice system, advocating for 
policies to reduce incarceration.
  I am honored to commend President Preckwinkle for her 30 years of 
public service and the impact she has had on my constituents.

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