The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS” mentioning Christopher A. Coons was published in the Senate section on page S2543 on May 17.
Of the 100 senators in 117th Congress, 24 percent were women, and 76 percent were men, according to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
Senators' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``BILL'' ALLEN, JR.
Mr. COONS. Mr. President, today it is my pleasure to honor William ``Bill'' Allen, Jr., local business leader, community activist, author, and friend, for his tremendous contributions to Delaware and the growth and success of our communities.
If you have ever met Bill Allen, you will know he has a wonderful smile that will grab your attention when you walk in the room and will get you smiling as well. Bill is also serious about continuing to make important strides in inspiring and bettering our State. Throughout his extensive career in the collections solutions industry, Bill was often the first or most senior African American in his organizations. Bill consistently reached new levels and set important precedents, led change, and inspired young African Americans. The knowledge and experience Bill gained throughout his career in the collections solutions industry led him to start his own company, ALW Sourcing LLC, a collections and customer contact solutions business that he leads with a wealth of knowledge, entrepreneurship, and industry experience.
In 2000, Bill and his wife, Dr. Kim Allen, founded A Friend of the Family, Inc., AFOF, a Delaware-based incubator for alternative learning programs. AFOF provides students with learning differences and behavioral challenges the tools and lessons necessary to overcome personal, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges. Under their leadership, the organization strengthens and empowers our community. The success of AFOF led Bill to be featured in Business Week, the Baltimore Business Journal, and JET Magazine.
He and Dr. Allen also teamed up to coauthor a book, ``It Flows Through Us,'' which describes how working hard and giving back can generate success and happiness. When writing the book, Bill focused on making it accessible to all people so that it could be used in the minority- and women-owned business enterprise revolution. He also participates in this revolution through the multiple seminars he conducts yearly to increase individuals' understanding of business, diversity, leadership, motivation, and success. Bill's knowledge initiatives empower and inspire people to make positive changes that will improve lives across communities.
Bill served as the board chair of the African American Empowerment Fund, AAEFD, at Delaware Community Foundation and as a board member for the nonprofit charity Friends of Hockessin Colored School #107, FOHCS. During his time as chair, he led the fund to provide $100,000 to the Hockessin Colored School #107, a historic school that played a role in a groundbreaking court case that became part of the landmark Supreme Court decision, Brown v. Board of Education. A student at the school was a plaintiff in the 1952 Delaware Court of Chancery case Belton
(Bulah) v. Gebhart, which was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court jointly with Brown v. Board. Thanks to the funding that Bill helped secure, the historic school is now being transformed into a center for diversity training, inclusion, and social equity. Its legacy will continue and its purpose has been reignited.
In my remarks at the reintroduction ceremony for this school, I stated that in order to change our future, we must confront our past. It is my firm belief that Mr. Allen's commitments to our community and the revitalization of the Hockessin Colored School have played an important role in this mission and the growth and inclusivity of our State.
In both business and community involvement, all of Bill's accomplishments led to his induction into the Delaware Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2020 as one of the first African-American inductees. This honor was awarded to him by the Leadership Council of Junior Achievement of Delaware, which recognized his influence as a business role model to the students whom the organization serves. I believe that this is a fitting testament to the great work Bill has done for our State.
Mr. President, Bill has made invaluable contributions to Delawareans. He has used his knowledge and experience to invest in a wide array of communities and inspire hundreds of citizens. He is well respected for such contributions and this recognition is well deserved.
Bill Allen, on behalf of all you have supported and inspired throughout your career, please accept our sincere gratitude. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the Delaware community and for your dedication to your work that has brought about change, set important firsts, and inspired others. Thank you.
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