McCollum Announces Tony Sanneh as 2023 State of the Union Guest

Congresswoman McCollum announced today she will welcome Tony Sanneh as her guest for President Joseph R. Biden's State of the Union address to the Joint Session of Congress on February 7, 2023.

Tony Sanneh established The Sanneh Foundation in 2003 to support community-based organizations and to assemble a supportive network within the community that provides positive environments for urban youth to become positive and productive adults. Sanneh retired from professional soccer in 2010 and became the President and CEO of the Sanneh Foundation. Tony believes in giving all children the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed and with the Sanneh Foundation, he seeks to accomplish that goal through its programs, partnerships, and events.

Congresswoman McCollum secured $1,000,000 in Community Project Funding in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal funding bill for the Sanneh Foundation's Youth Workforce Development Project in Saint Paul. The program works with young people by combining career exploration in partnership with local employers providing work experience, building social capital, and Social and Emotional Learning.

"I look forward to welcoming Tony Sanneh to President Biden's State of the Union Address, because he has been a strong partner as we continue to deliver for Minnesota families," McCollum said. "Bringing federal taxpayer dollars to Minnesota's Fourth District for community projects has already made a tangible impact for our neighbors. I'm proud of the millions of dollars we've secured to benefit East Metro families – including $1 million for the Sanneh Foundation Youth Development Project. This project is bridging the opportunity gap to create an equitable, vibrant future for our youth. From delivering joy on the soccer field to delivering popsicles during the pandemic, Tony Sanneh's journey has always been rooted in making a difference for the children. I'm grateful for the positive impact Tony and his foundation are making in our community!"

Background:

Tony Sanneh is the founder of The Sanneh Foundation, which provides resources to create positive social change for youth. Tony has been working in the community for over 10 years and has a passion for serving people and pursuing systemic change. He represented Team USA in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan and serves as a Sports Envoy on behalf of the SportsUnited Division of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The Sanneh Foundation stepped up to provide community support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, offering meal pickups, youth programming, free vaccine clinics, and more to help those most impacted. Mr. Sanneh was instrumental in understanding and helping to meet the needs of its neighbors. Rep. McCollum has frequently visited the Sanneh Foundation to see its community work firsthand, including August 2022 to meet with youth development program participants, May and October 2020, the latter including help from now-First Lady Dr. Jill Biden during food distribution efforts amid the pandemic, and in 2015 and 2016 to support the Foundation's rec center and soccer camps.

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