[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]

 
 IN HONOR OF THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUERTO RICAN ASSOCIATION FOR 
                           HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

                                 ______


                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 7, 1994

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Puerto 
Rican Association for Human Development, Inc. (P.R.A.H.D.). This 
organization was founded and incorporated in 1974 by a group of 
students from Rutgers University under the leadership of Dr. Marcos 
Leiderman, a professor with the Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work. 
The objective of the association was to expand into a multi-service 
agency emphasizing services for the Hispanic community of Perth Amboy. 
The association offers a variety of educational, vocational and social 
services to members of the community.
  In 1975, the P.R.A.H.D. established the first state licensed 
bilingual day care center in New Jersey, called ``Mi Escuelita Day Care 
Center.'' In 1976, the organization expanded once again by starting an 
ESL program and a latchkey program known as ``Escalar.'' Both of these 
programs still exist today.
  Today, P.R.A.H.D. serves people from ages 2\1/2\ and over. The 
organization, under the direction of Chairperson Ana Cruz Cabassa, and 
Executive Director Lydia Trinidad, currently employs over 98 people and 
runs 21 programs. Other services P.R.A.H.D. currently provides include 
case management, financial aid for heating utilities, food and housing, 
in-home services for developmentally disabled adults, social activities 
and job placement for senior citizens, in-home assistance for the 
elderly, education and counseling on prevention of HIV/AIDS and other 
sexually transmitted diseases, services for people with AIDS, education 
on substance abuse, information on pre-natal care, mentors for school 
children, working with school children to promote healthy habits, and 
lunches for poor Hispanic seniors.
  The Puerto Rican Association for Hispanic Development began as a 
school project, and grew into a very successful organization. I am very 
proud to have such an organization in my district. Perhaps the founders 
did not think at the time that their collaboration would result in such 
a successful organization or that it would last as long as it has. They 
should be very proud of their accomplishment and their contribution to 
society. I am sure that many have benefited from the services this 
association has offered in the past twenty years. I congratulate them 
on their 20th anniversary and hope that their annual banquet is 
successful. Furthermore, I wish them much continued success.

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