[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 2 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E84-E85]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A POINT OF LIGHT FOR ALL AMERICANS: THE BROOKLYN CHINESE-AMERICAN 
                              ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 1997

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Brooklyn Chinese-American 
Association [BCA] during their Ninth Anniversary Celebration. The 
members of this organization have tirelessly dedicated themselves to 
addressing the growing needs of the Asian immigrant population in 
Brooklyn and to providing residents of this community accessible 
bilingual and multicultural services. BCA is a great Point-of-Light 
whose contributions to the community must not go unappreciated or 
unnoticed.
  On January 19, 1988, BCA was formally established in response to the 
expanding Asian-American community in the Sunset Park, Borough Park, 
Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and Sheepshead Bay neighborhoods in Brooklyn. 
At its inception, the association received no funding and nearly 
single-handedly, Mr. Paul P. Mak, the president and CEO of BCA, worked 
on a voluntary basis to initiate and provide a bilingual social service 
program for the Asian immigrant community.
  With 9 years of hard work, intense exploration and struggle, BCA has 
grown from a one-person service project to the borough's most 
comprehensive bilingual, multi-human service and community development 
organization. Currently, BCA delivers services at various centers in 
Brooklyn such as the Main Community Services Center; Senior, Youth and 
Cultural Center; Employment Training Center; Day Care Center; Avenue U 
District Community and Senior Center; and at numerous school sites. In 
the past few years, because of the lack of Government funding and 
personnel, BCA has undergone several crises and struggles to keep the 
organization afloat. It is the dedication, enthusiasm and painstaking 
efforts of BCA's staff, its board members and the community that have 
sustained BCA and enabled it to develop rapidly.
  Today, BCA serves over 500 clients a day. BCA's many human services 
and programs include social services; senior services; day care and 
youth services; adult education programs; adult and senior employment 
programs; services for the mentally retarded and developmentally 
disabled [MR/DD]; and community economic development programs.
  The past year has marked another turning point in BCA's expansion. 
BCA's work force has remained the same but the association has 
expanded, reaching a much wider community than ever before. In May 
1996, BCA opened a new District Community and Senior Center delivering 
bilingual multi-human services to the increasing Asian immigrant 
population in the Sheepshead Bay neighborhood, an area that is becoming 
the second largest Asian community of Brooklyn. BCA has also been 
actively involved in registering voters and in educating the community 
on voting policies and procedures.

  1996 is also the year in which BCA initiated the Community 
Revitalization Project that serves as a master development scheme for 
the community. This summer, 10 traffic lights were installed as a 
result of BCA's constant lobbying efforts. In addition, BCA is working 
with the New York City Police Department to prepare and distribute 
educational materials on crime prevention, the CAT Auto Program and 
business residential security surveys. These are major steps toward 
making a better and much safer community in which to live.
  One of BCA's accomplishments this year is the educational 
Neighborhood Clean-Up Project. More than 150 youth participated in 
cleaning up the 8th Avenue neighborhood and providing informative 
materials to community residents and merchants. Recently, BCA also 
assisted in upgrading a garment factory in the neighborhood and has 
long supported promoting the economic progress and stability of the 
garment industry in Brooklyn. Moreover, a Tree Planting project was 
implemented to further beautify Brooklyn. Two hundred trees are 
scheduled to be planted along 8th Avenue in the spring of 1997. In a 
further attempt to improve the living environment, a Graffiti Removal 
Campaign will also be initiated in the

[[Page E85]]

spring 1997 with the community Boy Scouts. Two town hall meetings were 
sponsored in November, one at Sunset Park, Borough Park, and the Bay 
Ridge Chinatown area and the other at the Sheepshead Bay and 
Bensonhurst neighborhood, to provide an opportunity for the communities 
to voice their concerns.
  In recognition of its many contributions to the Brooklyn community, 
the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association received the 1996 Welcome 
Back to Brooklyn Award for Outstanding Civic Leadership and Economic 
Development in Brooklyn. This honor was presented to both BCA and the 
1996 Nobel Prize winning scientist. In the past, this age old annual 
award has always been presented to distinguished individuals and 
celebrities; however this is the first time in history that an Asian 
organization received the prestigious honor. Furthermore, the Brooklyn 
Historical Society also honored BCA this year with the Brooklyn History 
Maker Award.
  As we approach the 21st century, this Nation is becoming more 
ethnically and racially diverse. Any endeavor that maximizes the 
participation of immigrants into society is worthy of commendation. The 
Brooklyn Chinese-American Association's efforts to address the needs of 
the Asian population of Brooklyn deem it a great Point-of-Light not 
only for the people of Brooklyn, NY, but for all of America.

                          ____________________