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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING IZAAH KNOX AS THE IOWAN OF THE WEEK
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 15, 2020
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of
Representatives to join me in recognizing lzaah Knox, community leader
and Executive Director of Des Moines' own Urban Dreams, as our Iowan of
the Week.
Service for the betterment of others is more than a hallmark of
lzaah's career: it's his lifestyle. He's the epitome of a ``walk the
walk'' leader--involved in all manners of activities intended to
educate, empower, and raise up individuals in his community.
In his role as Executive Director of Urban Dreams, he leads a team of
similarly dedicated Iowans within the heart of urban Des Moines to
provide human service programs to the underserved and underrepresented.
The non-profit offers critical services like outpatient substance abuse
treatment and OWI weekend diversion classes, employment and after-
school IT programs, community-police relations initiatives, mental
health treatment, and nonpartisan voter education. They're currently
working on a project to build a community park adjacent to the Urban
Dreams building so neighbors can gather, celebrate, and engage with one
another. Despite narrow operating margins and much to do, lzaah is
consistently finding ways to strengthen and expand programming to serve
more Iowans in need.
Outside of Urban Dreams, lzaah sits on many boards and commissions
working to raise awareness and combat issues of poverty, substance
abuse, racial injustice, and urban blight. He's a past chair and
current commissioner on the Des Moines Human and Civil Rights
Commission, a Social Capital Tri-Chair for the Capital Crossroads
project to address diversity and inclusion within metro Des Moines, and
a board member for The Guardian Project to strengthen ties between Des
Moines Police officers and community members. While there are more
formal roles to mention, I'd rather note how lzaah also spends mornings
having breakfast with students at Des Moines North High School. His
efforts to make meaningful connections and address tough issues head on
are leadership in action.
This honor today is hardly the first to recognize the unique
determination and impact of lzaah Knox. In 2012, he was awarded the
United States of America President's Volunteer Service Award, and in
2013 he was named one of Iowa's most influential people by the Des
Moines Register. In 2016 he became one of the Des Moines Business
Record's Forty Under 40. Central Iowa is watching this leader grow and
recognizing his accomplishments along the way, and for very good
reason.
Our future as a nation depends on the strength of our neighborhoods
and communities; that's never been more evident than during these past
few months. As COVID-19 spread, lzaah and the Urban Dreams team kept
serving those in need by giving away free, hot meals in Evelyn K. Davis
Park, providing mental health and substance abuse services through
telehealth, and meeting in smaller groups to continue workforce
training. And as protesters took to the streets following George
Floyd's murder, lzaah has been there night after night to protect and
support the youth voices leading the movement. His steady presence and
dedication are helping guide Des Moines through these uncertain times.
Advocates like lzaah--those who are passionate about lifelong
learning, connecting with people, and doing the work--are our most
valuable agents of change. They push all of us to reflect on where we
can be giving more of ourselves to make things better for those around
us. We need people like lzaah to keep us moving forward. We need
organizations like Urban Dreams to thrive so the individuals they serve
can meet their highest potential. When we lift up one another, the
whole community does better. That's something lzaah Knox not only
understands, but also embodies, and it is my distinct honor to
recognize him as our Iowan of the Week.
____________________
