Rep. Gallego Announces Virtual Guest for the State of the Union
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Ruben Gallego (AZ-07) announced Malika Murphy as his virtual guest for President Biden’s first State of the Union Address. Malika is the owner of Sue’s Soul Food Heaven, a Black- and family-owned business in Phoenix.
“Malika Murphy embodies what it means to be a hometown hero. After the passing of her sister, Malika followed her dream to open a small business. Sue’s Soul Food Heaven, named in honor of her late sister, has grown to become a staple and a beloved restaurant in Phoenix.
“When obstacles stood in the way–damage to the property from a car crash and a pipe bursting in the restaurant–Malika pushed forward to keep Sue’s open. Nothing was going to stop Malika from achieving her American Dream, and thanks to funds from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund which I was proud to vote for in Congress, she has been able to amplify her hard work and grow Sue’s Soul Food Heaven into a force of good in our community.
“The restaurant offers discounts for seniors and veterans, puts on Small Business Saturdays where other local businesses are able to display and sell their products at Sue’s, and donates food at the end of the night to unhoused people.
“Malika’s grit and her story are an inspiration. It’s because of dedicated Arizonans like Malika that I am proud to work each day to deliver on the promises made by this Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration. I’m delighted that Malika will join me as my virtual guest for tonight’s State of the Union!”
Caption: Rep. Gallego with Malika (right) when he visited and dined at Sue’s Soul Food Heaven last fall.
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Rep. Ruben Gallego is a Marine Corps combat veteran who served in Iraq. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Natural Resources Committee, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.