[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  SACRAMENTO LOCAL CONSERVATION CORPS

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today in 
recognition of the Sacramento Local Conservation Corps. This month 
marks the Corps' 10th year of outstanding service to our community. On 
October 6, 1994, friends of the Corps will gather at the Mather 
Regional Park site to celebrate the positive impact that they have had 
on both the youth and the environment in Sacramento.
  The Sacramento Local Conservation Corps was created in 1984 by the 
City of Sacramento Chamber of Commerce in order to provide employment 
for youth who are non-high school graduates. However, shortly after its 
initiation, the Corps set out as a private non-profit corporation under 
the guidance and training support of the California Conservation Corps.
  Today, the Sacramento Local Conservation Corps operates with a 
mission to provide a youth development program that integrates 
education, job skills training and experience through conservation 
projects and service opportunities that benefit the community.
  During the past 10 years, the Corps has worked in all areas of 
conservation and more recently, has developed work projects in the area 
of recycling. Some of the Corps' major projects include: work with the 
State of California for the preservation and restoration of the river 
delta; work with the City of Sacramento for their weed and litter 
abatement programs; and work to clear and clean vacant lots and 
deserted homes throughout the city. In addition, corpsmembers have been 
a part of roadway restoration effort under the training guidance of 
city personnel; and for the past 4 years, the County of Sacramento has 
contracted with the Corps for the purpose of clearing and maintaining 
the 103 miles of creeks and channels which run throughout Sacramento 
County, Folsom and the city of Galt.
  Over 800 young adults have participated in the Corps' program in the 
past 10 years. Many of these young adults have gone on to attain a high 
school diploma or equivalency certificate and are currently either 
seeking higher education or are holding gainful employment within the 
community.
  Because of its history of effective program administration, the 
Sacramento Local Conservation Corps was one of the first Urban Corps to 
be awarded a grant from the Corporation for National and Community 
Service. The grant provides funding for the Mather Regional Park 
project which involves the creation of a 1400 acre park on the former 
Air Force Base. The grant will employ 51 corps members who will benefit 
not only from the Corps' education and job skills training programs but 
by a post-service educational award of $2.500.
  The Sacramento Local Conservation Corps is truly a priceless 
community resource. With countless statistics pointing to young adults 
as most in need of assistance, this Corps has been proactive in 
sculpting a program which meets almost all of their development needs. 
I salute the outstanding record this organization has made for itself 
in such a short period of time.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the Sacramento 
Local Conservation Corps on the occasion of their 10th anniversary of 
service to our community. May this period of success be multiplied in 
the coming decades.

                          ____________________