[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BRENDA LOVELADY SPAHN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
life and legacy of Brenda Lovelady Spahn, the founder of The Lovelady 
Center in Birmingham, Alabama, who passed away on December 18, 2024, at 
the age of 75.
  Miss Brenda founded The Lovelady Center in 2004 to rehabilitate women 
involved in the criminal justice system. Beginning with just seven 
inmates, the program rapidly grew into what is now the only State-
supervised reentry program in Alabama and the largest faith-based 
recovery facility for women and children in the Nation.
  Through the work of The Lovelady Center, Miss Brenda has touched the 
lives of more than 20,000 women and children, helping them to walk 
forward with faith-driven hope for the future. Guided by her abiding 
faith in God and her steadfast belief in the value of human life, Miss 
Brenda made it her mission to spread empowerment, hope, and redemption 
among the women she served.
  Throughout her extraordinary life, she has received numerous awards 
and honors, including an honorary degree in humanitarian studies from 
Tennessee Temple University in 2012.
  On a personal note, I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had 
to partner with Miss Brenda on behalf of the women and children of 
Jefferson County, Alabama, including the $2 million investment that we 
secured for The Lovelady Center in the fiscal year 2023 from the 
Federal budget.
  I will always remember the warm, selfless, and kindhearted nature of 
Miss Brenda, and above all, her devotion to serving the most vulnerable 
members of our community.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the 
extraordinary life and legacy of Miss Brenda Lovelady Spahn. May her 
legacy live on in the many lives that she touched.


         Celebrating the Retirement of Dr. Charles Steele, Jr.

  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
career and achievements of Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., as he celebrates 
his retirement after 17 years as the president and CEO of the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference.
  A true trailblazer, Dr. Steele has an accomplished career in both 
public service and civil rights advocacy. A native of Tuscaloosa, 
Alabama, he was elected to the Tuscaloosa City Council in 1985, a 
position he held for 2 years before being elected to the Alabama State 
Senate in 1994.

  After serving three terms, Dr. Steele stepped down in 2004 to take 
over as the head of the SCLC. As the organization's president and CEO, 
Dr. Steele raised over $10 million and oversaw the groundbreaking of 
SCLC's new international headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
  Dr. Steele's reputation has always been one of great purpose and 
great passion. He is an honorable man, guided by an abiding faith in 
God and a love of country.
  While his retirement will allow him some well-earned rest and time 
with loved ones, I know that his commitment to service will continue 
for years to come.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of a grateful Nation, I ask my colleagues to 
join me in celebrating the retirement of Dr. Charles Steele, Jr., after 
17 years as president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership 
Conference.

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