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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E538-E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING KAMERON MIDDLEBROOKS 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 as tens of thousands of
peaceful protesters are
[[Page E539]]
rising in cities across our country and around the world to say enough
is enough. People from all walks of life are coming together to call
for real change to address the inequities and failures of our systems,
to shine a light on persistent and systemic racism, and to demand
justice for the senseless deaths of African American men and women like
George Floyd, Breanna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.
Moments like these in history force us to confront the sobering
truths of who and where we are as a nation. Many will have their eyes
opened to realities and perspectives they did not see before, thus
beginning or furthering their journeys to unlearn deeply engrained
beliefs and better understand how racism continues to shape our daily
lives. Others still will feel emboldened to turn their knowledge and
empathy into action for the first time.
And then there are those leaders who have been in this fight for much
longer. I rise today to honor as Iowan of the Week one such leader who
has been on the front lines not only of recent peaceful protests, but
also of the day-to-day work of lifting up a community from within:
Kameron Middlebrooks.
Kam's history of activism and accomplishments belie his relative
youth. Now in his early thirties, he's already spent half his life
advocating for Des Moines' black community. If you mention Kam's name
to someone in central Iowa, it's likely they've already heard of him.
That could be because they went to school together at Roosevelt High,
read about him as one of the Des Moines Register's 15 People to Watch
in 2019, heard about the work he's done on the Des Moines Human and
Civil Rights Commission, or for a host of other reasons. As busy as
life in Congress keeps me, I wonder how Kameron fits everything into
his day.
Kam currently serves as President of the Des Moines Branch of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), an
organization he joined in high school before becoming its youngest-ever
Midwestern Regional Field Director and successfully leading a campaign
to register more than 15,000 people of color to vote across the
Midwest. He's owned his own small business, and now coaches African
Americans interested in becoming small business owners through that
process as minority business coordinator for Iowa State University
Extension and Outreach. He hosts annual trainings at Des Moines' Evelyn
K. Davis Center for Working Families to equip participants with
essential skills to successfully run their own shops. He coordinates
multiple work groups to address disparities among black and white
residents of Polk County in critical areas like employment, education,
and housing. And his efforts to create a more equitable society without
racial discrimination don't stop there.
Kam and I spoke on the phone last Monday. He'd spent each of the
several nights prior at peaceful protests until the early hours of the
morning to make sure the younger generation got home safely. When
thanked for his work, he praised others. When asked what comes next, he
already had plans for how we can empower youth voices and create a
stronger community. His passion, selflessness, and drive were
infectious. It's no surprise he's emerged as someone Iowans are eager
to follow.
Across my state and the country, thousands continue to gather day
after day to stand together against injustice. Young leaders like
Kameron are among them. While it is imperative current elected
officials heed their calls for action, it is also my hope that the
young voices powering this movement are inspired to stay involved and
ultimately become the officeholders called upon to enact more just and
equitable policies.
For many reasons, the people of Iowa are fortunate to call Kameron
Middlebrooks one of our own. I ask today that the House of
Representatives join me in honoring his continued service and
leadership by naming him our Iowan of the Week.
____________________
