E620 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks April 28, 2016 success, CDFIs often lack the capital to meet HONORING THE CITY OF LEX- anniversary of the Congressional Historically the needs of many promising small busi- INGTON ELECTRICAL DEPART- Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, es- nesses. MENT FOR EARNING A RELI- tablished last April by Reps. ALMA ADAMS (D– Recently, private sector financial institutions ABLE PUBLIC POWER PROVIDER NC) and BRADLEY BYRNE (R–AL). have stepped in to assist CDFIs in their mis- PLATINUM DESIGNATION FROM For over 170 years, our Historically Black sion to provide affordable, responsible lending THE AMERICAN PUBLIC POWER Colleges and Universities have been at the to underserved communities. This month, JP ASSOCIATION forefront of preparing our nation’s youth for a Morgan Chase announced a five-year, $125 bright path and successful future. HBCUs million investment in CDFIs, building upon a HON. RICHARD HUDSON have profoundly changed the American eco- pilot program which allowed 26 CDFIs to raise OF nomic and social climate. They have changed more than $226 million—seven times IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES the face of this nation and have opened the JPMorgan’s initial grant—and make $100 mil- Thursday, April 28, 2016 door for generations of African-American stu- lion in loans, finance the preservation and de- dents. There are over 300,000 diverse stu- velopment of over 2,000 units of affordable Mr. HUDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to dents across the United States attending housing, and lend to over 130 small busi- honor the City of Lexington Electrical Depart- HBCUs today. Those and the millions of nesses. ment for earning a ‘‘Platinum’’ Reliable Public HBCU alumni are a testament to the impor- These efforts are commendable, but private Power Provider (RP3) designation from the tance of these institutions to America. sector investments are not enough to address American Public Power Association (APPA). In 2008, I co-founded and co-chaired the the significant need for small business credit The ‘‘Platinum’’ RP3 designation establishes first bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus the Lexington Electrical Department, located in in underserved communities. Research shows with Reps. JAMES CLYBURN (D–SC) and JOHN Lexington, North Carolina, as one of the most that minority-owned businesses typically en- DUNCAN (R–TN). Expanding federal opportuni- counter higher borrowing costs, receive small- reliable and high-quality public power pro- ties for HBCUs and Predominantly Black Insti- er loans and see their loan applications re- viders in the nation. tutions (PBIs), expanding dialogue in Con- For the past seven years, the City of Lex- jected more often. CDFIs are well-placed to gress, and upholding the traditions of these in- ington Electrical Department has been recog- provide access to affordable credit through stitutions are shared goals of mine and of the nized by the APPA as an industry leader with microloans to struggling small businesses and members who currently lead the caucus. I am a ‘‘Gold’’ level designation. However, with this entrepreneurs in underserved communities. proud to represent Paul Quinn College, which ‘‘Platinum’’ designation, the Lexington Elec- Let’s give small businesses in underserved has provided their students with the tools to trical Department joins an elite group of only areas the tools they need to create jobs and be successful leaders for over 130 years. 29 utility providers nationwide that have develop their communities. I am pleased to in- For much of their history, HBCUs opened earned this impressive distinction. In order to troduce this bill, and urge my colleagues to the door to educational opportunities and ca- be recognized as a ‘‘Platinum’’ provider, the join in support. reer possibilities otherwise inaccessible to Afri- provider must earn a score between 90 and can-Americans. Over the past 50 years we 98 percent of the possible points across all f have seen a modernization of that mission. scoring metrics used by the APPA. The City of Each year thousands of academically dis- WILLIAM VOVAN Lexington accomplished this goal by excelling advantaged students graduate high school be- in the four RP3 disciplines established by the hind many of their peers. Many of these col- APPA: reliability, safety, workforce develop- HON. lege-bound students graduated at the top of OF COLORADO ment, and system improvement. their class, yet did not have access to the rig- The Lexington Electrical Department has IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES orous coursework that would prepare them for become a recognized leader not only in the Thursday, April 28, 2016 higher education. state of North Carolina, but across the entire HBCUs offer the personalized attention and Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise country. Their innovative workforce training support to foster success in these students. today to recognize and applaud William Vovan programs should serve as an example of how They are paving the way for future scientists, for receiving the Adams County Mayors and to prepare employees to meet the ever-grow- engineers and doctors who may have other- Commissioners Youth Award. ing demands of the 21st century. They have wise been lost in the system. It is this chain William Vovan is a 12th grader at also demonstrated an unwavering commitment of support that makes our nation’s HBCUs so Northglenn High School and received this to providing high-quality services to the people invaluable to America and the thousands of award because his determination and hard of Lexington by engaging in public-service students who meet their potential under their work have allowed him to overcome adversi- projects like the proactive tree trimming guidance. ties. project, resulting in a significantly reduced I am pleased that we are able to continue The dedication demonstrated by William number of power outages during this year’s this dialogue in a meaningful way and I urge Vovan is exemplary of the type of achieve- winter storm season. The people of Lexington more members to join the Congressional ment that can be attained with hard work and should be comforted to know their utility needs HBCU Caucus. perseverance. It is essential students at all are being provided by one of the finest utility levels strive to make the most of their edu- departments in the entire nation, and should f cation and develop a work ethic which will be proud of the staff at the Lexington Elec- TAYLOR NORMAN guide them for the rest of their lives. trical Department who worked so hard to earn I extend my deepest congratulations to Wil- this distinguished honor. liam Vovan for winning the Adams County Mr. Speaker, please join me today in con- HON. ED PERLMUTTER Mayors and Commissioners Youth Award. I gratulating the hardworking members of the OF COLORADO have no doubt he will exhibit the same dedica- City of Lexington Electrical Department for IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tion and character in all of his future accom- earning the American Public Power Associa- Thursday, April 28, 2016 plishments. tion’s ‘‘Platinum’’ Reliable Public Power Pro- Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise vider designation. f today to recognize and applaud Taylor Nor- f man for receiving the Adams County Mayors PERSONAL EXPLANATION ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE and Commissioners Youth Award. CONGRESSIONAL HISTORICALLY Taylor Norman is a 12th grader at Thornton HON. BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVER- High and received this award because her de- OF MISSOURI SITIES CAUCUS termination and hard work have allowed her to IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES overcome adversities. The dedication demonstrated by Taylor Nor- Thursday, April 28, 2016 HON. man is exemplary of the type of achievement OF TEXAS Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, due to an elec- that can be attained with hard work and perse- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tronic mishap, I voted incorrectly on H.R. verance. It is essential students at all levels 4498, the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Thursday, April 28, 2016 strive to make the most of their education and (HALOS). I had intended to vote yea on roll Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. develop a work ethic which will guide them for call vote 171 on passage of the HALOS Act. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the one year the rest of their lives.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:52 Apr 29, 2016 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A28AP8.015 E28APPT1 emcdonald on DSK9F6TC42PROD with REMARKS