Mr. Speaker:  I rise today to celebrate Black History Month and to honor and highlight the distinguished career of Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich. Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich’s contributions to civil rights, education, and public service have left an indelible mark on our country.

Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich has dedicated the majority of her life to public service. Born in Niagra Falls, New York, she completed her elementary and high school education in Buffalo, New York. After high school, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree, with honored distinction, in Political Science from North Carolina Central University. She went on to earn a master’s degree in Public Administration from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Finally, Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich earned her Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She was also the first African-American to be awarded a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship, which she used to study political science at both the Free University in Berlin, Germany and the Deutsche Hoch Schule fur Politik. Her impressive educational background has earned her teaching positions at some of the country’s most revered universities, including Howard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the George Washington University. 

Her commitment to public service has been evident as well. Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich has served as Deputy Mayor of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was also New York State Housing Commissioner under Governor Mario Cuomo and has served as the Executive Director of President Carter’s Urban and Regional Policy Group. Here, she worked to issue America’s first formal National Urban Policy, a significant accomplishment.  Additionally, as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Black Leadership Forum, Inc., Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich worked tirelessly to facilitate dialogue between the leaders of the African-American community while also working to design opportunities for collaboration across racial lines.

As residents of St. Petersburg, Florida, Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich and her husband, Reverend Edward Leftwhich, have launched the Quantum Opportunities after-school program through the Center for Community and Economic Justice.  This program works to help at-risk teens become community leaders through tutoring, internship opportunities and training in civic leadership skills. Her unwavering dedication to encouraging a commitment to education and community service with at-risk teens has contributed in countless ways to the Tampa Bay area. 

Her impressive volunteer endeavors continue to make Dr. Scruggs-Leftwich’s dedication to community service clear. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Executive Director of the Center for Community and Economic Justice, and is Member at Large of the Black Leadership Forum. 

The Tampa Bay Community is proud to recognize Dr. Yvonne Scruggs-Leftwich for her outstanding career and significant contributions to the fields of education, public policy, and civil and community activism. Her dedication to advancing the rights of others through both public and community service makes her an inspirational leader.  I ask that you and all Americans recognize such a remarkable citizen for her dedication to our community and our nation.