[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 149 (Thursday, October 30, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THANKS TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOR THEIR YEARS OF SERVICE TO HOUSTON

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                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 30, 1997

  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, we celebrate the opening of the Greater 
Houston Boys and Girls Club on October 14, 1997. When I was younger, I 
was a member of the Boys and Girls Club. This group gave me the 
opportunity to find myself and to grow into an adult.
  The Houston Boys and Girls Club has been in service since 1952. With 
this new Shell Branch, we will have a total of five facilities in the 
Greater Houston area. There is an incredible variety of activities at 
these centers from basketball to baseball to soccer to arts and crafts. 
There is something for everyone.
  I would personally like to applaud the efforts of the staff and 
volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club throughout Houston. They bring a 
strong commitment and dedication that we should all try to emulate.
  The Boys and Girls Club strive to instill in our youth a sense of 
competence, usefulness, belonging and of power and influence.
  Their mission takes our community's at-risk-youths off the street and 
provides them with a safe and positive environment that will lead them 
toward achieving a brighter future.
  The Boys and Girls Clubs build character. It helps our children to 
realize what is right and what is wrong. It helps them to make better 
informed decisions. It also helps to build relationships with other 
people.
  Programs such as Smart Moves and Smart Kids--which is an early 
prevention program has won national acclaim--keeps our young people off 
the street and away from drug, alcohol and tobacco. Additional Boys and 
Girls Club Programs provide young people with skills to develop into 
adults today. While one program--the Power Hour--is an extensive 
tutoring and education development program, another program--the 
Keystone Club--is dedicated to providing community and leadership 
skills to the young. These are just three of many programs offered by 
the Boys and Girls Club.
  With the opening of this fifth facility, we can see the dedication of 
the staff, volunteers and the community. The Boys and Girls Club is 
dedicated to developing the youth of this city and making them the best 
that they can be.
  I would ask that we return that same commitment to the Boys and Girls 
Clubs, and we make the extra effort to help them with whatever they 
need.

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