[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 167 (Thursday, October 26, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO JULIA C. HESTER HOUSE

                                 ______


                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 1995

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
outstanding community service rendered by the Julia C. Hester House in 
my hometown of Houston, TX.
  Hester House, a multiservice agency, was charted by the State of 
Texas as a nonprofit corporation in June 1943. It was named for Julia 
C. Hester, a distinguished public servant, who lived and worked in 
Houston's fifth ward during the early decades of this century. Ms. 
Hester, a teacher by profession, welcomed neighborhood children into 
her home and provided a safe location for organized social activities 
for children of the Houston community. She was also the State leader of 
a fraternal organization known as Heroines of Jericho.
  Unfortunately, Ms. Hester did not live to see her deeds for young 
people of Houston gain the wide recognition that they deserved and 
eventually received. In 1943, when the Houston Community Chest, now the 
United Way, supported the first community center in an African American 
neighborhood, the fifth ward was chosen, in part, due to the 
contributions of Ms. Hester.
  Today, I am extremely pleased to state that Hester House faithfully 
carries on the work of its namesake. It has a board of directors 
composed of 24 members and is affiliated with the United Way of Texas 
Gulf Coast. On an annual basis, Hester House serves over 10,000 
participants, many of which have no other place to turn for assistance.
  I salute Hester House for fulfilling their mission, which is ``to 
provide social services that enhance the quality of life for the 
residents of the fifth ward and surrounding communities.''
  In a period in which so many families are in transition, I especially 
commend Hester House for providing services that are extremely vital to 
families. Hester House offers child care services, before and after 
school programs for older children, and a 10 week summer day camp.
  One outstanding program, the Hester House's kid's way enrichment 
program, provides guest speakers, educational tours and trips and self-
esteem training.
  Their successful program for teens provides social and career 
development, tutorial services, athletics, recreation, alcohol and drug 
abuse prevention, juvenile delinquency and teenage pregnancy prevention 
programs during those most influential and impressionable teenage 
years.
  The agency's reach has extended significantly beyond just offering 
services for children. For seniors, they offer health screening 
activities, nutritional meals, community service projects, exercise 
classes, and several other activities.
  Hester House also provides emergency food and clothing distribution, 
student internship placement, volunteer opportunities and emergency 
rental assistance.
  I congratulate the board of directors, the advisory board, and the 
staff of Julia Hester House for their outstanding and dedicated service 
to the House community and wish them continued success.

                          ____________________