[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OF HUDSON COUNTY, INC.'S 19TH ANNUAL EQUAL 
                            OPPORTUNITY DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
remarkable organization, the Urban League of Hudson County, Inc. as it 
celebrates the 19th anniversary of its Equal Opportunity Day. This 
annual event, which serves to reaffirm the laudable mission of 
providing equal opportunity to community members, will be celebrated on 
April 24, 1997 at the Meadowlands Hilton Hotel in Secaucus.
  The Urban League of Hudson County, Inc.'s role as a pre-eminent 
community institution began over a quarter century ago during a 
turbulent time in the Nation's history. In 1971, we had just come 
through a decade when the movement toward civil rights took its toll on 
the urban leaders of our society: Martin Luther King, Jr., Medgar 
Evers, and Malcolm X. Shabazz, all assassinated in their prime. The 
mission of this new organization was to continue these leaders' legacy 
and to help ensure equal opportunity for all members of our American 
family. Since its inception, the Urban League of Hudson County, Inc. 
has endeavored to provide positive family images to which others could 
aspire.
  Today, Americans living in urban areas are portrayed too often with 
violence and in economic distress. The Urban League of Hudson County, 
Inc., under the direction of current president and CEO Elnora Watson, 
has made tremendous strides in reversing that stereotype through its 
various programs, such as AmeriCorps, the Adolescent Servicing Center, 
Adopt-A-Parent, Beginning Alcohol and Addiction Basic Education 
Studies, Family Development Program, job placement and retention, 
mentors for youth, Parent Community Mobilization Initiative, and 
parenting skills workshops. Graduates of these valuable programs will 
hopefully go on to become productive residents of Hudson County and 
become beacons of hope for others in their communities.
  This year, the Urban League of Hudson County, Inc. will mark the 19th 
anniversary of its Equal Opportunity Day Dinner. On this momentous 
occasion, a number of people will be recognized for working tirelessly 
to dispel the negative images of urban Americans as portrayed by the 
media. The award recipients for 1997 include: Catherine Easterling 
Todd, Nantexter Ferguson Sebron, Betty Warren, Mary L. Setzer, Barbara 
A. Briggs, Patricia Sebron, Kathleen Washington, Pamela O'Neal, Philip 
Martin Bonaparte, M.D., Blynette Rogers, Patricia Jackson Robertson, 
Dale Porter, and Blanche McDuffy Smith. Each of these outstanding 
individuals has made a unique contribution to enhancing the image of 
the Urban League of Hudson County, Inc.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring this special 
organization. The Urban League of Hudson County, Inc. serves as an 
example of what can be accomplished when people when people work toward 
a common goal. It is an honor to have them providing services to the 
residents of my district.

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