[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 91 (Friday, May 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EAST CENTRAL KANSAS ECONOMIC 
                        OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHARICE DAVIDS

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 29, 2026

  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
anniversary of the East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity 
Corporation's founding. For 60 years now, ECKAN has worked tirelessly 
to support the stability, health, and engagement of individuals and 
families across East Central Kansas.
  Established on May 6, 1966, ECKAN is one of eight community action 
agencies in Kansas. Since its founding, ECKAN has been driven by a 
simple vision--showing our neighbors in East Central Kansas that their 
community cares.
  While this philosophy has always manifested itself in addressing 
poverty, ECKAN has never shied away from evolving. Originally operated 
under a traditional service-delivery model, ECKAN has shifted to a 
collaborative, inclusive approach focused on shared purpose and 
collective impact.
  Since 1966, the success of ECKAN and the services it provides has 
continued to expand. Serving a 16-county region including Kansas' Third 
District, ECKAN's Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote 
school readiness, family health, and childcare partnerships. ECKAN also 
operates nine county community centers and a regional food recovery 
warehouse, offering emergency assistance, food and supply 
distributions, housing vouchers, and more. ECKAN also operates programs 
that reduce energy costs for eligible households, administer Housing 
Choice Vouchers, and manage affordable rental units.
  For 60 years, ECKAN has helped increase access to resources, improve 
housing stability, and reduce energy burdens for lower-income families. 
The importance of the organization's work cannot be overstated, and I 
look forward to seeing the great strides that ECKAN and the people it 
serves continue to make.

                          ____________________