[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 21, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E991]]

               A TRIBUTE TO ARCWORK OF FRESNO, FRESNO, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 20, 1997

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to ArcWork 
of Fresno. In partnership with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, ArcWork 
employs people with developmental disabilities at jobs which enhance 
the business environment and the community.
  The ArcWork project was the vision of Larry Willey, vice president of 
marketing for the Fresno Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Willey was aware that 
one of the priorities of Fresno Mayor Jim Patterson was to keep Fresno 
Clean and Green. In response, it was proposed that individual 
businesses and the Fresno Chamber of Commerce could sponsor various 
areas and pay ArcWork employees to keep them clean.
  Since then, the concept of community and corporate involvement to 
take care of the cities beautification has expanded greatly. Parks were 
recently added to the list for the beautification process, and various 
city agencies and groups have become involved in the program. The 
collaboration of resources has been so effective, the city of Fresno 
has been able to redirect its workers to more demanding projects. The 
result: ArcWork crews are now capable of picking up an increasing 
number of general city tasks.
  The advent of the ArcWork program has been a win-win for everyone 
involved. Businesses have found the services to be cost effective, 
helping to create a cleaner environment throughout Fresno. ArcWork also 
has allowed business to gain recognition for the positive contributions 
made to the program. Municipalities have benefited by the increased 
partnerships that have been forged between the Fresno Chamber of 
Commerce and the business community, helping to create employment 
opportunities for the developmentally disabled. Most importantly, 
though, are the benefits that the ArcWork program has given to those 
with developmental disabilities who want to work and increase their 
self-sufficiency.
  Mr. Speaker, I admire the success of the ArcWork program. Working 
together, the city of Fresno, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce, private 
organizations, and local businesses have found a beneficial way to 
solve some of the challenges facing our city in a positive and 
effective manner. I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to 
ArcWork, a program that serves as a model of local grassroots 
involvement throughout the Nation.

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