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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING BUFFY JAMISON
______
HON. CYNTHIA AXNE
of iowa
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 29, 2020
Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the U.S. House of
Representatives to join me in recognizing Buffy Jamison, co-founder and
co-chair of the Iowa Queer Communities of Color Coalition, as our Iowan
of the Week for the final full week of Pride Month.
Pride 2020 has looked a little different than in years past. While
the parades and events did not occur as originally planned, people of
all genders and sexual orientations are still celebrating the
tremendous strides and achievements that the LGBTQIA+ community has
made throughout our history.
The observance of Pride means both commemorating the anniversary of
the Stonewall Riots, which began on June 28, 1969, as well as
celebrating achievement, diversity, and acceptance of our LGBTQIA+
friends and family. Pride also reminds us that the fight for equality
of opportunity and justice for all is not yet complete. Even fifty
years later, the same rejection of police brutality and discrimination
is at the forefront of our conscience, as an intersectional issue, and
protests and activism are once again promoting necessary reform.
That's why I've chosen Buffy as our Iowan of the Week. With the Iowa
Queer Communities of Color Coalition, she works to address the inequity
of services, socioeconomic disparities, and institutional racism
experienced by communities through education, advocacy, intentional
inclusivity, and organizing.
Buffy is a native Iowan who has worked both in a leadership role
within community organizations and as an educator. After receiving her
Master's in Higher Education from the University of Denver, Buffy
returned to Iowa to dedicate her time and efforts to helping educate
the general public about our marginalized communities who are too often
overlooked in vital conversations and policymaking.
As Program Coordinator and LGBTQ Healthcare Liaison working with One
Iowa, Buffy has helped train thousands of people on issues of
intersectionality and inclusion. By emphasizing education that exposes
individuals to issues they may not come into contact within their own
lives, she has been a leader in our state--making sure the voices of
those long ignored by history are brought to the forefront.
Buffy works every single day to ensure our society actively considers
the work still to be done. By shining a light on the challenges still
ahead, and instructing our friends and neighbors on meaningful actions
that can be undertaken at every level, she helps move us toward
achieving a more perfect union.
In honor of Buffy's contributions to our state, and the work she puts
in every day, I'm proud to name her Iowan of the Week.
____________________
