[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 58 (Friday, March 27, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING MIKE HUGHES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GREG STANTON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 27, 2026

  Mr. STANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mike Hughes on his 
retirement after 53 years of service as CEO of A New Leaf, a 
cornerstone nonprofit serving families across Arizona.
  Mike dedicated more than five decades of his life to helping 
Arizonans facing difficult challenges, including homelessness, domestic 
violence, poverty, and instability. Under his leadership, A New Leaf 
has grown from a small local organization into a comprehensive provider 
of housing and human services. Its services reach tens of thousands of 
individuals each year across the East Valley.
  Mike's approach to leading A New Leaf has always gone beyond 
addressing immediate needs. He has led A New Leaf with a focus on long-
term solutions. The nonprofit today provides both immediate support and 
the tools people need to rebuild their lives, including financial 
education and support for reentry to the workforce. The critical 
services have expanded across the Valley under his leadership. A New 
Leaf often steps in to support struggling nonprofits so that essential 
programs can continue serving those in need.
  Throughout his career, Mike has never lost sight of the people behind 
the numbers. His efforts to support families in crisis have helped 
create a highly coordinated and compassionate response to homelessness 
at a time when housing insecurity is rising and resources are strained. 
Mike is a steady voice for collaboration, bringing organizations 
together to improve outcomes and better serve those in need.
  Mike's impact extends well beyond A New Leaf. A longtime public 
servant, he has served on the Mesa Public Schools Board for decades and 
contributed to numerous community organizations across Arizona. His 
decades of service have not gone unnoticed. Mike has been recognized by 
prominent Arizona groups, news outlets, and others with prestigious 
awards, including the Corporate Philanthropy Lifetime Achievement Award 
and the Nonprofit CEO Lifetime Achievement Award from the Phoenix 
Business Journal for his commitment to serving those most in need.
  Providing support for community members facing the most difficult 
circumstances requires grounded, deeply committed leadership. Mike 
embodies that leadership. He transformed A New Leaf while remaining 
focused on its core mission to serve those most in need with real 
impact.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mike 
Hughes for his extraordinary years of service. His work has 
strengthened communities across our state and set a standard for what 
true service looks like.

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