[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 15 (Thursday, January 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E68-E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING MRS. ESSIE POUGH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 22, 2026

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize and 
honor Mrs. Essie Pough, one of my constituents from Oak Park, Illinois 
as she prepares to celebrate her 100th birthday on February 11, 2026. 
Reaching the age of ``five score'' is a testament to a century of 
grace, wisdom, endurance and love. That said, on behalf of the 7th 
District of Illinois, I congratulate and commend Mrs. Pough on this 
incredible milestone.
  Born in rural Mississippi in 1926, Mrs. Pough migrated alongside her 
husband from the south to Chicago's West Side neighborhood of ``K-
Town'', where together they built a strong foundation and lovingly 
raised their eight children anchored in faith, hard work and respect 
for others. During her early years in Chicago's West Side, Mrs. Pough 
found her spiritual home at United Missionary Baptist Church. She was 
an active and dedicated member for over 50 years at United Missionary, 
enjoying the choir and participating in various church activities.
  After attending Jones Commercial in downtown Chicago, Mrs. Pough 
began her career at the Illinois Department of Public Aid, which later 
became the Illinois Department of Human Services. Mrs. Pough worked for 
the Department for nearly 47 years and was known for providing stellar 
customer service and professional assistance to the clients she served. 
In fact, Mrs. Pough's dedication to her profession led her to learn to 
speak Spanish in order to better serve the Spanish speaking residents 
of Humboldt Park, which is just one example of how she would go above 
and beyond the call of duty in her illustrious public service career.
  Throughout her life, Mrs. Pough remained committed to service by 
advocating for causes such as voting rights, civic engagement, and 
youth development. Mrs. Pough is truly an example of a life lived 
fully. She has been blessed to break bread with First Lady Michelle 
Obama and to cast her vote for Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black 
mayor and for Barack Obama, Americas first Black President--
achievements she believed she would never witness in her lifetime, but 
indeed she did. Defying age, at 94 years old, Mrs. Pough wrote and 
recorded her debut song entitled ``Jesus Reigns Forever,'' earning 
national spotlight on NBC, CBS and Fox News in 2020.
  Till this day, Mrs. Pough remains a vibrant and active member of her 
community, enjoying gardening, bowling, reading her bible and 
worshipping at the Living Word Christian Center, in Forest Park 
Illinois. Above all else, Mrs. Pough's greatest life joy continues to 
be her legacy of 8 children, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, 
and 26 great-great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I consider it both an honor and privilege to celebrate 
the 100th birthday of Mrs. Essie Pough and commend her for an 
extraordinary life of service, faith, perseverance, and love.

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