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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E293]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO THE MILWAUKEE URBAN LEAGUE
______
HON. GWEN MOORE
of wisconsin
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Ms. MOORE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Milwaukee
Urban League as it celebrates 100 years of service to the Milwaukee
area Community. The Milwaukee Urban League was established in 1919 as
an affiliate of the National Urban League (NUL) in response to the
migration of African Americans who moved north from southern states in
search of greater opportunities and a better way of life. They assisted
in their transition to urban life and employment, helping African
Americans in Milwaukee secure economic self-reliance, parity and power,
and civil rights.
The Milwaukee Urban League become a hub and sought to meet the
various needs of the African American Community. They established a
medical clinic in the 1920s and sponsored a community center for
holiday gatherings, youth recreation and crafts, and taught boxing
skills. In 1926 the Urban League released a study that established the
need to eliminate poor housing as a high priority. In subsequent years,
it was instrumental in ending legalized racial discrimination in
housing and creating the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council
which still exists today. In the 1930s, the Milwaukee Urban League
established the Industrial Relations Project to improve job
opportunities and working conditions through relationships with
business establishments.
Over the years the Urban League has continued to promote employment
and economic self-sufficiency through such initiatives as apprentice
programs, and pre-employment skills training. Other employment help
includes on the job placement and training and older workers and job
ride programs. The Milwaukee Urban League has promoted business
ownership and development through efforts such as the Franchise
Initiative designed to help African Americans acquire franchises,
thereby, generating wealth and increasing the number of jobs in the
community. It hosts an annual Youth Leadership Summit to promote civic
engagement.
The Milwaukee Urban League has been on the front lines of the
struggle for equality by both performing research that establishes the
case for change and taking actions that result in change to help the
next generation succeed. The Urban League continues to collaborate on
many issues to enhance the well-being of the community it serves to
achieve positive outcomes, including: seeking alternatives to
incarceration, working with organizations to speak out against hatred
and bigotry, improving academic achievement and social growth among
students, and eliminating barriers to employment including enhancement.
Madam Speaker, for these reasons I rise to recognize and pay tribute
to the Milwaukee Urban League as it celebrates its 100th anniversary
and continues its efforts to benefit the Fourth Congressional District
and the State of Wisconsin.
____________________
