[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 146 (Thursday, September 19, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H5458]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING ANN LURIE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Strong). The Chair recognizes the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
extraordinary philanthropist and humanitarian.
  A few weeks ago, Chicago lost one of our city's most esteemed 
benefactors, Ann Lurie. Originally from Florida, Ann chose Chicago, and 
specifically the Seventh Congressional District, as her home in 1973.
  For over 27 years, I have had the honor of representing the nearly 
800,000 people in the Seventh District, one of the Nation's largest and 
most diverse.
  Throughout this time, Ann Lurie and her husband, Robert, were 
steadfast supporters and catalysts for change within our community.
  Chicago is a city where people are inclined to do things their way, 
and Ann was no exception. Her way meant making a profound difference, 
leaving nearly everything she touched better than she found it.
  I had the privilege of knowing and working with Ann for over 40 
years. I witnessed firsthand her unwavering dedication to healthcare, 
education, and social justice. Her impact extended far beyond Chicago, 
reaching communities around the world.
  Ann funded countless initiatives in the Seventh District. Her 
philanthropic journey began with her roots as a pediatric nurse, which 
laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to improving 
healthcare.
  Her transformative $100 million donation to the Ann & Robert H. Lurie 
Children's Hospital of Chicago made an indelible mark on our city, 
creating a beacon of hope and healing for countless children and 
families and establishing Chicago as a national center of medical 
innovation and excellence.
  Ann profoundly impacted education through her support for 
institutions like the University of Michigan and Northwestern 
University by funding scholarships and research programs.
  She opened doors for countless students, fostering the next 
generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
  Ann's philanthropy was characterized by personal engagement. She was 
not a passive donor but a hands-on advocate, often traveling to see the 
projects she funded firsthand to ensure her contributions were making 
the intended impact.
  The level of involvement spoke volumes about her character and the 
sincerity of her mission, making her a truly inspiring figure.
  Through the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Foundation, Ann championed global 
health initiatives from building rural schools in Ethiopia to 
supporting healthcare infrastructure in Kenya.
  Her efforts in Human Rights Watch in the Horn of Africa underscored 
her commitment to advocating for the often voiceless, ensuring that 
fundamental human rights and dignities are upheld, even in the most 
challenging circumstances. Her compassion and humanitarianism were 
immense, and many of her local contributions had a global impact.
  Mr. Speaker, Ann Lurie's philanthropy is a shining example of the 
profound difference one individual can make in the world.
  Her work is a testament to the power of compassion, dedication, and 
unwavering belief in the potential for positive change.
  Her passing is a tremendous loss, not just for the causes she 
championed but for the lives she touched. She showed us that authentic 
leadership is about more than what one achieves for oneself. It is also 
about what one does for others.
  We extend our deepest condolences to her family and loved ones as we 
honor her life, her legacy, and her work.

                          ____________________