[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H776]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING EVA AND HERB PORTER AS COMMUNITY PILLARS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Mrs. Ramirez) for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. RAMIREZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we celebrate Black History 
Month to uplift two of my constituents and pillars of the Hanover Park 
community, Eva and Herb Porter. Both have shared more than 40 years of 
love, leadership, and unwavering dedication to civic engagement.
  Eva Porter is a beloved retired educator in our community. After 30 
years of teaching, she has continued to shape young minds in and beyond 
the classroom.
  Eva has served as a trustee of the Poplar Creek Library Board and as 
a board member for school district U-46. Her passion for service shines 
through her volunteer work with organizations like Kids Hope USA and 
the American Cancer Society.
  Eva's passion and commitment to public service is matched only by her 
dear husband, Herb. Currently serving as a deputy mayor of Hanover 
Park, Herb Porter became the first-ever African-American Hanover Park 
trustee when he was elected in 2019. With nearly a decade of elected 
office, Herb is currently the longest serving African-American public 
official in the northwest suburban area.
  He continues to serve his community in his roles on the governing 
board for the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook 
County as well as the board of the Alignment Collaborative for 
Education.

                              {time}  1045

  Proud members of the DuPage NAACP, Eva and Herb Porter's legacy of 
service and uplifting diversity and equity have inspired countless 
community members to get involved in civic engagement, including their 
daughter, Dr. Chantelle Porter, who was just elected in 2022 as the 
first Black female judge in DuPage County.
  While we think of being first and only, we know we still have a long 
way to go to truly have parity and representation across this country, 
but the Porter family's extensive service to the Hanover Park community 
is a reminder of just how seriously our local communities take our 
responsibility to serve our neighbors and to do so with compassion and 
care.
  Today, I rise to speak of their leadership, dedication, and exemplary 
service, which serves as a reminder to each of us here in Congress that 
we also have the very same responsibility to care for our neighbors and 
our working families, not special interests and unaccountable 
billionaires.
  As we take the time to celebrate history, we are also reminded that 
we are making history every single day in these Chambers and back home 
in our districts. Let it be good history. Let it be history that we are 
proud of.
  Our constituents, including Herb and Eva, are meeting this moment 
with the urgency it deserves, and they rightfully expect us to follow 
their lead. I know I will.
  On behalf of Illinois' Third Congressional District on this 25th day 
of February, 2025, I commend Eva and Herb Porter for their lifelong 
commitment to modeling civic responsibility, community service, and 
courageous leadership.
  Congratulations to Eva and Herb.

                          ____________________