[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 72 (Thursday, April 23, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E364-E365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF ALEX PONDER

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2026

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Alex Ponder 
for her many contributions and 7 years of service to 9th Congressional 
District residents as Senior Advisor for District Operations and 
Outreach on my district staff. Alex has spent the formative years of 
her career serving the community where she grew up.
  Alex was born and raised in the district in Park Ridge and interned 
with my office while studying at Loyola University Chicago. She made 
such a strong impression that we invited her to join our team full time 
after graduation. Over the years, she grew into a trusted and capable 
member of my staff, serving her community with care and consistency.
  In her role, Alex was a constant presence across the district. She 
built lasting relationships with residents and community organizations 
and helped ensure our office stayed connected to the people we serve. 
She skillfully led our Congressional Art Competition, working closely 
with educators and students to build a program that was well run and 
drew strong participation from schools across the district each year, 
lifting up young artists and recognizing their work.
  Alex was someone my staff knew they could always count on. She 
stepped into scheduling, communications, and other roles whenever 
needed, never treating any responsibility as outside her lane. She 
helped keep track of casework numbers and distribution and was an 
essential part of our office team during many transitions. Alex began 
as an intern in our district office and later came to oversee that same 
program. She selected and managed the interns who assist our office 
each semester, helping bring new members onto ``Team Schakowsky'' and 
teaching them how to advocate for residents and support a congressional 
office.
  Alex knows how to make constituents feel welcome and listened to. She 
is kind and compassionate, and helped create a warm environment for 
constituents who called or visited the office.
  Alex advocated for constituents in a number of important areas, and 
handled a high volume of constituent casework. She became the passport 
expert in our office and was able to cut through red tape to get 
constituents their passports quickly, alleviating their anxiety during 
what is often a stressful process. She helped seniors with Social 
Security and Medicare, and helped constituents resolve problems with 
the IRS and immigration. Alex made a real, concrete difference in the 
lives of so many 9th Congressional district residents.
  Alex received a well-deserved and special recognition that reads 
``Agudath Israel of Illinois hereby recognizes the extraordinary 
efforts of Alex Ponder. Her dedication to the constituents of Illinois' 
9th Congressional District, under the leadership of Congresswoman Jan 
Schakowsky, is truly remarkable. As a global pandemic affected new 
challenges for countless individuals, you gave personal attention to 
every person in need. Regardless of the hour or day of the week, and 
often against the odds, you worked tirelessly to ensure needs were met, 
emergencies were addressed, and best outcomes achieved. On behalf of 
Agudath Israel and our entire community, we express profound gratitude 
for constantly going above and beyond the call of duty.''
  And a constituent wrote this heartfelt note ``Your employee Alex 
Ponder of the Glenview office has gone way way above and beyond in 
assisting our daughter and her family this summer . . . I reached out 
to Alex Ponder and she spent as much time as necessary to guide us 
through the various documents and notarizations and other forms 
necessary. She also arranged a meeting with the U.S. Passport Office in 
Chicago and followed through to be sure all was accomplished 
efficiently and properly. This is government service at its best, Jan, 
and I smile every day as I drive past your house, happy to have you as 
a neighbor as well as our representative! Young professionals such as 
Alex are worth their weight in gold, and it's a testament to your 
office that such talent is recruited and retained.''
  On behalf of the residents of the 9th Congressional District of 
Illinois, I want to express

[[Page E365]]

my sincere gratitude to Alex Ponder for her years of service. Her work 
on our team and her commitment to her community reflect her character 
and values. I am proud of how much she has accomplished here and know 
that she will continue to succeed and serve the community in the years 
ahead.

                          ____________________