[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          HONORING NATIONAL COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 1998

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Community 
Economic Development Day (National CED Day), which will be celebrated 
by community development corporations (CDCs) across the county on 
Wednesday, April 8, 1998.
  This third annual event, held during National Community Development 
Week and sponsored by the National Congress for Community Development 
(NCCED), recognizes the achievements of more than 2,500 CDCs working in 
America's low-income urban and rural communities. More than 800 NCCED 
members are actively involved in housing renovation and construction, 
real estate development, industrial and small business development, 
employment-generating activities, and other innovative programs to 
revitalize communities. More than 21 million people benefit from the 
work of CDCs.
  This year's National CED Day theme, Community Empowerment Through 
Partnerships, underscores the benefits of building effective alliances 
between community and faith-based organizations, businesses, and state, 
local, and federal governments. Collectively, these partnerships work 
to foster a better social and economic quality of life for America's 
families. National CED Day gives CDCs the chance to form and expand 
productive partnerships with local businesses, corporations, banks, 
academic institutions and public officials, which strengthens the 
economic base of both urban and rural communities nationwide.
  Community Development Corporations are good at what they do around 
the country and in Houston. They recognize the interrelated factors 
that cause economic decline. They evaluate the needs of each community 
and create plans for each neighborhood. They then develop comprehensive 
strategies for community economic development using entrepreneurial 
solutions, and they stay in the community for the long term.
  Effective community development depends on all of us working 
together, developing and sharing good ideas, and bringing individual 
talents and resources to bear addressing the economic challenges facing 
our families and our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend all involved with National Community Economic 
Development Day and the good work that CDCs have done in Houston and 
around the country. I look forward to continuing to work together in 
this crucial effort.

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