Hoyer, Lee, Garcia Visit Mary's Center and Judith P. Hoyer Early Learning Hub in Prince George's County

ADELPHI, MD - This afternoon, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity; and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Vice Chair on Urban Poverty, toured a Mary's Center and the Judith P. Hoyer Early Learning Hub and participated in a roundtable discussion with stakeholders on the work they are doing to serve families in Maryland.

"I was glad to welcome Congresswomen Lee and Garcia to Prince George's County this afternoon to see the important work being done in our community by the Mary's Center and Judy Center," said Congressman Hoyer. "The comprehensive approach used by both Centers allows our communities to address some of the most significant issues facing families, including poverty, disparities in access to health care, and lack of opportunity. I appreciated learning more about the programs available for adults and children and how both the Mary's Center and the Judy Center are supporting adults and children in the Fifth District and can serve as a model for other communities."

"In Congress, House Democrats are continuing to focus on these important issues," continued Congressman Hoyer. "I will continue to fight for increased funding through the appropriations process to support vital programs for undeserved communities."

"This trip could not be more timely or more important. The Trump Administration is attacking lifesaving programs that families rely on every day, threatening food assistance, affordable housing, and quality health care for millions around the country," said Congresswoman Lee. "If they succeed, our communities will pay a heavy price. Every family deserves good-paying work, quality childcare, and healthy food. This visit to Prince George's County is an opportunity to see the struggles that everyday families face in person, and bring proven, effective ideas back to Washington to help break the cycle of poverty."

"The issues concerning many communities across America are all the same: access to quality health care, good paying jobs, and opportunity," said Congresswoman Garcia. "It is wonderful to see organizations like Mary's Center and Judy Center dedicated to addressing the concerns of their neighbors and delivering on these issues. Their service is a testament to the communities they represent and I hope others will have the opportunity to learn from the important work they are doing."

Mary's Center provides health care and social services for adults, regardless of ability to pay, at eight locations in the Washington, DC region. Judith P. Hoyer Early Learning Hub, commonly known as Judy Centers, are early childhood resource centers named after Congressman Hoyer's late wife. Judy Centers provide comprehensive education and support services for children age five and under and their families throughout Maryland.

Launched in 2013, the Majority Leader Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity works to raise awareness of Members of Congress and the American people about the ongoing crisis of poverty, the positive human and economic impacts of effective poverty alleviation programs, and the need for a comprehensive national effort to eradicate poverty. The Task Force consults with key stakeholders to develop support for strategies to eradicate poverty and build opposition to proposed cuts to anti-poverty programs by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans.