[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 102 (Friday, July 29, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 29, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
     BANANA KELLY FOURTH ANNUAL INFORMATION FAIR/COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

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                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 1994

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the Banana Kelly 
Community Improvement Association on its Fourth Annual Information 
Fair/Community Festival, which will be held in the South Bronx on 
Saturday, August 13.
  For my colleagues who do not know, in 1977 a group of gutsy South 
Bronx residents of a banana-shaped block of Kelly Street organized 
themselves to wage a successful effort to stop the demolition of three 
abandoned buildings. They then proceeded to rehabilitate the buildings 
themselves.
  In the ensuing 16 years Banana Kelly has rehabilitated nearly 2,000 
residential units for cooperative ownership by low and moderate income 
tenants. But this figure merely scratches the surface of Banana Kelly's 
accomplishment. Banana Kelly has extended property management, 
construction management and weatherization services to privately owned 
buildings. It has implemented a family and community enrichment program 
which provides family services, group training and technical assistance 
to tenant associations for their at-risk residents.
  Banana Kelly's youth programs have gained nationwide recognition for 
their success in training local youth for jobs in the construction and 
maintenance fields. Its leadership training programs are building 
columns of strength throughout the South Bronx region. Its commercial 
support efforts are helping businesses to locate and expand operations 
in the South Bronx, thus bringing vital products, services and jobs to 
the community.
  Mr. Speaker, the Banana Kelly credo is ``Don't Move, Improve.'' At 
its event on August 13 the Banana Kelly Community Improvement 
Association will honor and provide a forum for outstanding individuals 
and entities who have lived these words. I ask my colleagues to join me 
in thanking the Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association for its 
marvelous and continuing accomplishments.

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