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[Page S5138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE URBAN AFFAIRS COALITION
Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, I wish to celebrate the Urban
Affairs Coalition in recognition of their 50th anniversary. Founded in
1969 as the Philadelphia Urban Coalition, the Urban Affairs Coalition
works tirelessly to tackle a number of diverse issues that immediately
affect communities throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region.
A robust group of organizations, the Philadelphia Urban Coalition was
founded after the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., with the goal of solving their communities' social and economic
problems. In 1991, the group merged with the Urban Affairs Partnership
to create the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition and in 2010
shortened the name to the Urban Affairs Coalition. They have managed
over $1 billion of social investment since their founding.
Today, the Urban Affairs Coalition consists of over 75 organizations
working to achieve unity among government, business, neighborhood, and
individual initiatives to improve the quality of life in the region,
build wealth in urban communities, and solve emerging issues. The
coalition works towards this mission in three different ways: backing
nonprofits through fiscal sponsorship, capacity building, and
professional development; working to improve life chances for the youth
and young adults; and providing economic opportunity to low-income
households, working families, and disadvantaged businesses.
Through their extensive work, the Urban Affairs Coalition helps
children and young adults climb the economic ladder, educates the
community on job opportunities and financial advice, and provides
access to capital for minority entrepreneurs. The coalition is
committed to supporting nonprofits by helping them run backroom
operations, allowing nonprofits to focus on public service.
In addition to helping their community, the Urban Affairs Coalition
recognizes local leaders at their annual banquet. They present the Doer
Award, the Living Legacy Award, and the Community Leadership Award to
those who make efforts to improve and support their communities. The
Urban Affairs Coalition consistently looks to form new partnerships and
is working to raise $1 million in the 2020 fiscal year to create a UAC
Legacy Fund, which will further support educational and charitable
activities.
Additionally, I wish to commend Ms. Sharmain Matlock-Turner, the
president and chief executive officer of the Urban Affairs Coalition.
This year marks Ms. Matlock-Turner's 20th anniversary in her role. She
also serves as the cofounder and chair of the West Oak Lane Charter
School, a school in Northwest Philadelphia where 92 percent of students
are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches. West Oak Lane prides
itself on strong ties with higher education organizations. These
relationships begin by focusing on educating the next generation of
innovators. Ms. Matlock-Turner was one of three Philadelphia leaders to
win a scholarship to Harvard Business School's Nonprofit Leaders'
Summer Program in 2005, and she has since won awards from CASA
Philadelphia, the American Red Cross, and many other organizations.
The work of the Urban Affairs Coalition and Ms. Matlock-Turner have
been crucial to providing countless children and young adults a
fighting chance at a brighter future. Community improvement is their
continuing mission, and I thank them for their hard work on behalf of
Pennsylvanians. I wish them the best of luck on their future
efforts.
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