[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 44 (Tuesday, April 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E599-E600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR OF THE 16TH ANNIVERSARY OF LET'S CELEBRATE, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 21, 1998

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, for sixteen years Let's Celebrate has 
helped fight hunger and homelessness in Hudson County. They have helped 
people ``move from hunger to wholeness,'' by providing counseling, job 
training, emergency food assistance, adult basic education and housing 
assistance.
  Let's Celebrate now has 74 staff members, over 600 volunteers and 29 
service and meal sites throughout the area. This impressive 
organization has helped countless families move toward self-sufficency.
  The organization's innovative job program finds jobs for 85% of its 
trainees. Let's Celebrate trains the homeless in the food service

[[Page E600]]

industry through its own catering service. This invaluable, hands-on 
job training allows their clients to gain experience, develop job 
skills and learn to adapt to a work environment.
  In addition, through the Emergency Food Network, Let's Celebrate 
serves over 70,000 meals to our neediest citizens every year. These 
four soup kitchens and 16 food pantries also help distribute clothing.
  Furthermore, through the Housing Plus program, HIV positive 
individuals and their families receive counseling, medical attention as 
well as help with housing.
  I would like to thank Let's Celebrate for its incredible service to 
Hudson County and for inviting me to its 16th Anniversary Mad Hatter 
Ball. This amazing organization truly gives us all a reason to 
celebrate.

                          ____________________