[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE MEXICAN AMERICAN GROCERS ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION ON ITS 
                      20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Sunday, November 9, 1997

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 20th anniversary of the 
Mexican American Grocers Association Foundation [MAGAF], a scholarship 
foundation which has awarded over $1,000,000 to students attending 
junior colleges and public and private colleges and universities 
throughout the country.
  MAGAF is the brainchild of the Mexican American Grocers Association 
[MAGA]. MAGA is a nationally recognized advocacy and trade 
organization, representing the interests of retailers, vendors and 
others involved in the grocery industry. It was this intimate 
involvement in and knowledge of the grocery industry which led MAGA's 
board of directors to found MAGAF, For the past 20 years, MAGAF has 
provided the financial resources for disadvantaged, deserving students 
of Mexican/Latino heritage to pursue college degrees in business 
administration or business-related fields. It is MAGAF's hope that 
these young scholars, upon graduation, will seek careers within the 
grocery industry.
  MAGAF was established on the premise that private industry has a 
responsibility to return to the community some of what it has earned. 
In its tireless dedication to provide needed financial resources to 
college students, MAGAF also has gained the strong support of others in 
the grocery industry. Each summer and fall, the giants of the grocery 
industry attend annual fundraisers to support MAGAF's efforts. It is 
this cooperative relationship and commitment which has enhanced the 
diversity of the executives and business owners currently working in 
the grocery industry.
  I am proud to be a longtime supporter of MAGAF. It is a commendable 
endeavor which provides needed resources to promising college students 
and its help ensures, upon their graduation, that the grocery industry 
has a prospective workforce that is diverse and well educated. Because 
of MAGAF's efforts, today, highly qualified and educated Mexican/
Latinos fill positions in the sales, merchandising and marketing 
segments of the grocery industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Mexican American Grocers Association Foundation on its 20th anniversary 
of providing financial assistance to our community's college bound 
students and to wish it well in its future endeavors.

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