[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING SISTER CHARLOTTE

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 16, 1996

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate Sister 
Charlotte of Project YES!, who has been chosen as a recipient of the 
National Service Award. I am especially pleased that her work is being 
recognized at the national level for two reasons: First, she has been a 
strong and tireless advocate for children, and second, she has brought 
resources and attention to an economically deprived area. It is because 
of her work that the children living in this multiethnic area have 
access to educational opportunities, and more importantly, hope.
  She has provided opportunities for the children in her neighborhood 
to work with tutors, to socialize, to have enriching educational 
experiences, to be in sports leagues, to develop spiritually, to better 
understand their culture, and to bond with adults. She has created a 
loving, caring, safe environment for many children who have never known 
such a place. For many of these children, Project YES! is not just a 
home away from home, it is the only home they know.
  Because Project YES! is so special to the children, the only 
discipline needed is the threat of time out from Project YES! No one 
misbehaves because no one wants to be excluded even for a few hours.
  Sister Charlotte first became involved in Project YES! in 1983 as a 
member of its board of directors. Her background in guidance counseling 
and teaching encouraged her interest and her enthusiasm for this 
alternative way of reaching children. Consequently, in 1987 she left 
her elementary school administrator position with the Santa Cruz 
Catholic School and became the executive director of Project YES!
  Under her creative and enthusiastic direction, Project YES! has 
become a vital force in the lives of hundreds of children and of their 
parents. In addition to the supportive environment and programs for the 
children, she has created parent-to-parent workshops in both English 
and Spanish where parents can learn from each other about good 
parenting skills. Parent-to-parent combines teaching, peer counseling, 
and sharing to help parents find caring ways to guide their children.
  Sister Charlotte is a resource we treasure in the Second District of 
Arizona. We are proud that her programs for children are being 
recognized, and I congratulate her on her accomplishments.

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