[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 189 (Wednesday, November 29, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2259-E2260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          20TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

                                 ______


                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 1995

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have this opportunity to 
commend the South Side's Milwaukee Christian Center Neighborhood 
Improvement Project [NIP] on its 20th anniversary.
  The South Side's NIP was founded in 1975 as a collaboration of South 
Side agencies seeking to provide summer jobs for youth under a 
community development block grant. The organization was formed to 
harness the considerable energy of area youth in an endeavor that would 
teach them valuable skills and contribute to the surrounding community.
  In 1994, the South Side NIP employed 44 young adults in housing 
rehabilitation projects. Participants remove unsightly graffiti, paint, 
provide carpentry services, and roof homes for low-income homeowners. 
South Side neighborhoods receive a facelift, while youth gain a work 
ethic and marketable skills.
  Sixty-seven homes benefited from no-cost renovations last year. 
Meanwhile, the 38 young offenders served their community service 
sentences as graffiti removal team members, cleaning up at over 2,300 
dwellings throughout the year.
  Young people learn about the real work world through the NIP. They 
work on a timeclock and are responsible for their tools. Some programs 
operate based on piecework, which rewards higher productivity with 
higher pay. Many summer program participants have moved up through the 
program to become team supervisors. Mentors are drawn from local 
community centers to provide technical expertise and role models for 
the youth.
  Over the past two decades, the South Side NIP has provided invaluable 
services to local residents. It truly represents an exemplary 
investment of CDBG funds. The program benefits not only participants, 
but also homeowners and neighborhoods. I am pleased to congratulate the 
Milwaukee Christian Center Neighborhood Improvement Project on its 20th 
anniversary and wish it continued success in the future.

[[Page E 2260]]


                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______


                         HON. TILLIE K. FOWLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 1995

  Mrs. FOWLER. Mr. Speaker, due to a family medical emergency, I was 
not present for rollcall vote Nos. 822 and 823. Had I been present I 
would have voted ``yes'' on H.R. 2525 and ``yes'' on Senate Concurrent 
Resolution 33. I request unanimous consent that my statement appear in 
the Record immediately following these rollcall votes.

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