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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E20-E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND CAREER OF JIM WEILL
______
HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN
of massachusetts
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 9, 2020
Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Jim Weill, a
dedicated advocate who has spent his 50-year career standing up for
what's right, and fighting to end poverty and promote social justice in
this country.
As President of the Food Research & Action Center, also known as
FRAC, Jim spent the last 22 years as a vital partner in the fight to
eliminate hunger--my long-time priority here in Congress.
During this time, he has worked hard to expand programs that are
essential to reducing hunger for so many, including SNAP, school lunch
and breakfast, after school and summer food programs, child care food,
and WIC. He's also been a champion of poverty reduction measures like
the refundable Child Tax Credit.
Madam Speaker, Jim's commitment to ending the epidemic of hunger in
this country cannot be understated, and is exemplified by his tireless
efforts to strengthen the coalition to end it. He not only helped
bolster FRAC's network of state and local partners, but he's also
launched and nurtured strong new anti-hunger advocacy groups, including
in Maryland and the District of Columbia--bringing more allies into
this important fight.
His lifetime of advocacy has led him to other prominent roles as
well. Early in his career, Jim served as counsel at the Legal
Assistance Foundation of Chicago as the Director of Federal Litigation
and Social Impact Projects, where he worked on over 100 federal class
action and impact cases. This important work helped protect people on
Social Security, Medicaid, AFDC, Food Stamps, and other public
benefits. He also worked to improve our immigration system and combat
discrimination against racial minorities and women.
[[Page E21]]
As if all that weren't enough, Jim spent 16 years as Program Director
and General Counsel at the Children's Defense Fund, where he helped
safeguard and expand essential programs promoting youth health and
well-being. Jim played a leading role in the fight to expand Medicaid
and made major contributions to the enactment of several programs to
promote youth health like the Children's Health Insurance Program. His
leadership on children's rights helped spur child support enforcement
reforms as well as the expansion of federal fair housing laws to
include families with children.
Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress and all the
people in whose lives Jim has made a positive difference, it is my
great privilege and honor to thank and recognize Jim Weill for his
tireless efforts to create a more just and equitable world. I'm truly
grateful to call him a friend.
____________________