[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 377]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING MICHAEL LOFTON AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN AND BOYS 
                               CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 5, 2007

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor Michael Lofton, an inspirational leader who is working each day 
to make a difference in the lives of young people in his community. 
This past summer Mr. Lofton implemented an idea to bring together 200 
boys, men and parents in the first African American Men and Boys 
Conference. His goal was to counteract the trends where African 
American boys were lagging academically, disrupting classes, 
disrespecting themselves, and often ending up incarcerated.
  His passion for helping children led him to the Austin School 
District, where he contacted parents, school principals, health 
specialists, professors, sociologists, judges, law-enforcement, 
businesses, community leaders and clergy, in order to create a 
concentrated effort to support young black men and boys in the Austin 
community.
  The monthly African American Men and Boys Conference has continued to 
increase in participation since its inception this past June. It has 
also expanded from focusing on boys and their academic needs to working 
with the entire family to make a difference. Each month these boys and 
their families focus good decision making, managing anger, taking and 
passing standardized tests, completing high school, attending college, 
maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and knowing how and when to seek 
assistance with school work,
  It is people like Michael Lofton that are the cornerstone of our 
communities making a difference each and every day. He was brave enough 
and passionate enough to go out into the community and establish his 
vision for change, and he has inspired others to work with him to 
better our society. I commend Michael Lofton for all the work that he 
has done, and know that this is merely the first step of many great 
things to come.

                          ____________________