[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO MID BRONX DESPERADOES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mid Bronx 
Desperadoes for 22 years of service to our Bronx community.
  Mr. Speaker, the Mid Bronx Desperadoes [MBD] was founded in 1974 as a 
group of volunteers who understood the need to revitalize the Crotona 
Park East section of Bronx Community District 3 that was devastated by 
arson, disinvestment, abandonment, and population loss.
  First in cooperation with the local police and fire departments, and 
later with government officials and Community Board 3, the volunteer 
coalition was able to establish Mid Bronx Desperadoes Community Housing 
Corporation [MBDCHC] which created over 2,100 housing units with 
development costs of approximately $213.5 million within Community 
District 3. MBD has also helped residents of the South Bronx become 
homeowners, serving as community sponsor, marketing and sales agents 
for 328 new homes, including the widely acclaimed Charlotte Street 
development of 89 single family homes. MBDCHC is a part of the 
Comprehensive Community Revitalization Program [CCRP].
  Throughout its 22 years of service, MBD has been a model of 
excellence in providing our community with exemplary services through 
housing development and property management, economic development, and 
delivery of human services.
  With the collaboration of a qualified staff, MBD has expanded its 
network to include additional services in conjunction with other local 
organizations and medical centers. Among these are: affordable housing 
development, marketing and management, Mid Bronx Community Development 
Federal Credit Union, Family Practice Health Center, Head Start Day 
Care, Community Crime Prevention, Comprehensive Case Management, Job 
Training and Placement, and Community Organizing.
  The achievements of the Mid Bronx Desperadoes are measured by the 
people they have served. Thousands of Bronx residents have been 
employed and benefited from the center's education and training 
programs. And hundreds of thousands of people, from children to senior 
citizens, have received quality health care.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to honor the family and friends 
of the Mid Bronx Desperadoes. I ask my colleagues to join in 
celebrating this milestone and acknowledge this outstanding agency for 
22 years of accomplishment and service for the South Bronx community.

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