In Tribute To The Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation's 20th Anniversary
Floor Speech
In Tribute To The Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation's 20th Anniversary
* Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation. The Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation was created in 1999 founded on the Potawatomi belief ``to take what we need and give back what we can.''
* A review of the history of the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe will help to understand their desire to give back to the community. The tribe was forcibly removed from its homeland, endured strained relationships with governments, and lived in hardship and poverty. They survived by relying upon their internal strength and sharing with each other.
* Through its foundation, the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe now provides to others who are struggling in the community. I believe that despite of or rather because of these centuries' old struggles, the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation has emerged to reflect their tribal values and beliefs to return assistance to the communities where they live and work. The Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation supports civic and community projects, such as public health care issues, education, economic development, and the arts. They have funded many different types of organizations ranging from large, well known associations to small grassroots organizations. The foundation meets with any organization that applies for a grant and, if funded, works in partnership with the group to ensure success. The foundation feels each agency it funds allows them to carry on the Potawatomi tradition of ``giving back what we can.''
* Now celebrating their 20th Anniversary, the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation has delivered over $18 million dollars to more than 250 charities and nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Milwaukee area. I am grateful for their empathetic spirit of giving.
* Madam Speaker for these reasons, I am honored to pay tribute to the Forest County Potawatomi Community Foundation for their support, dedication and service to the people of my district and throughout Wisconsin.
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