Illinois Hunger Coalition Honors Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi With Its Paul Simon Public Service Award For His Anti-Hunger Efforts
WASHINGTON – Earlier this fall, the Illinois Hunger Coalition honored Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi with its Paul Simon Public Service Award in recognition of his efforts in support of anti-hunger programs. Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s acceptance speech is available here and a transcript follows:
“Hi everyone, I'm Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of the Eighth District of Illinois. I want to say a special thank you for this special honor that the Illinois Hunger Coalition has bestowed upon me. I want to thank all of you for allowing me to address you virtually tonight. You've been helping and serving Illinois since 1988, a remarkable 35 years of helping people with their food insecurity.
You've been protecting programs vital to Americans including SNAP benefits and others, and I know the importance of these programs because I myself have benefited from them hewn my parents first came to this country. Unfortunately, during the recession of 1973, my father lost his income and employment but thanks to the generosity of the American people, we were allowed to be on food stamps and in public housing. And after my parents were able to get back on their feet economically, we never forgot how important these programs were to our well-being, and that's why I fight every single day to make sure that SNAP and other programs like it are there for the next people who need it.
And so, I want to say thank you thank you to Illinois Hunger Coalition, thank you to all of you for standing strong with the Coalition and thank you for allowing me to be a part of your efforts and to help you in whatever way, shape and form that I can. And thank you for this incredible honor! I can't wait to be with you in person thank you again.”
Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s Paul Simon Public Service Award from the Illinois Hunger Coalition