Artur Davis

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as a recipient of the prestigious Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad Award for 2009-2011.

Fewer than ten museums in the United States are selected for the Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad Award and I am delighted and proud that the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, located in the Seventh Congressional District, is among the chosen. This honor is both an outstanding achievement and a source of great pride for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Birmingham community.

Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad, which is administered by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and receives financial support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, connects U.S. communities with communities abroad through innovative, museum-based projects that reflect each museum's unique collections, capabilities, and expertise. Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad increases the cultural competency of two communities and also helps museums connect with local underserved populations.

The Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad Award will enable the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to partner with the Mandela House Museum in Soweto, South Africa in the development of a joint project of cultural significance. The obvious parallels between the U.S. and South Africa related to their historic struggles against malevolent systems of racial segregation and oppression make this a natural partnership.

Through this collaboration, not only will the communities of Birmingham and Soweto be united, but cultural diplomacy as a whole between the U.S. and South Africa will be strengthened. It is an honor to recognize the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for this outstanding accomplishment. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for this significant achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute as a recipient of the prestigious Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad Award for 2009-2011.

Fewer than ten museums in the United States are selected for the Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad Award and I am delighted and proud that the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, located in the Seventh Congressional District, is among the chosen. This honor is both an outstanding achievement and a source of great pride for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Birmingham community.

Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad, which is administered by the American Association of Museums (AAM) and receives financial support from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, connects U.S. communities with communities abroad through innovative, museum-based projects that reflect each museum's unique collections, capabilities, and expertise. Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad increases the cultural competency of two communities and also helps museums connect with local underserved populations.

The Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad Award will enable the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to partner with the Mandela House Museum in Soweto, South Africa in the development of a joint project of cultural significance. The obvious parallels between the U.S. and South Africa related to their historic struggles against malevolent systems of racial segregation and oppression make this a natural partnership.

Through this collaboration, not only will the communities of Birmingham and Soweto be united, but cultural diplomacy as a whole between the U.S. and South Africa will be strengthened. It is an honor to recognize the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for this outstanding accomplishment. I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating Birmingham Civil Rights Institute for this significant achievement.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of the Children of the Village Network, a non-profit organization based in my District, in Sumter County, Alabama. I commend the Children of the Village Network on their 10th Anniversary and would like to underscore the positive impact that this organization has had on my District.

The Children of the Village Network was established by District Judge Tammy Montgomery based on the time honored premise that ``it takes a whole village to raise one child.'' This network has created a family resource center for residents of Sumter County that provides life skills training, parenting classes, job readiness training, a food bank and educational scholarships. The organization drives home the importance of academic excellence for the youth of Sumter County, awarding 13 scholarships since 2000 and providing for additional enrichment activities to promote independence and incentivize academic achievement.

After ten years of commitment to the residents of Sumter County, the success of the Children of the Village Network has been widely recognized for its success in contributing significantly to improving the quality of life in Sumter County. Thank you, Madam Speaker and may God bless the Children of the Village Network and Judge Montgomery with continued success.