[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 129 (Thursday, September 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1801-E1802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING THE 27TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT 
                          OF MEXICAN AMERICANS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 1998

  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, on October 1, the Association for the 
Advancement of Mexican Americans will be celebrating their achievements 
over the past 27 years. I would like to express my sincere appreciation 
to AAMA for its leadership and dedication to our community and would 
like to extend my congratulations.
  Founded in 1970 in Houston, Texas, AAMA is the largest Hispanic 
nonprofit service provider in Texas. This community organization was 
founded to advance the needs of Hispanic families that are coping and 
struggling to beat back the grip of poverty, poor health and family 
planning, and low educational attainment. Today, AAMA provides services 
in Houston and across South Texas.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to briefly discuss some of these services.
  The George I. Sanchez Charter High School was founded in 1973 to 
provide at-risk Hispanic youth with an alternative educational 
environment. Today, the school is the largest Texas charter school, 
serving 389 low-income, at-risk students. The class of 1997 graduated 
95 students, with one-third advancing into higher education. I was 
proud to host Secretary of Education Richard Riley on his visit to see 
one of the most successful charter schools in the nation.
  The AAMA Adelante Family Education Program provides English-as-a-
second language classes, GED classes, citizenship training classes, and 
native literacy classes to immigrants and other adults who are working 
toward an education that will improve their marketability in the U.S. 
workforce.
  In addition to these education services, AAMA also operates many 
social service programs, including three gang intervention programs, 
two HIV and AIDS counseling programs and several drug and alcohol abuse 
programs throughout Texas. With these programs in place, it is easy to 
see why AAMA is the largest social service provider in Texas.

[[Page E1802]]

  AAMA is also involved in community development. The AAMA Community 
Development Corporation is dedicated to the revitalization of Houston's 
inner-city through the development of affordable and decent housing. 
The AAMA Community Development Corporation recently completed and 
leased a new 84-unit affordable living center in Houston's East End. No 
other development had occurred in this area in over 30 years.
  AAMA is fortunate to have leaders like Gilbert Moreno, President and 
CEO, as well as Board Members Karen Becerra, Anthony Magdaleno, Maria 
Garza, Fernando Tovar, David Corpus, Carmen Orta, Raymond T. Garcia, 
Daniel Gonzalez, Taylor Margis-Noriega, David Medina, Jacob Monty, Olga 
Ordonez, Lisa Ottman, Eduardo Pellon, Rudy Ramos, Rogelio R. Santos, 
and Antonio Villanueva. Without their dedication and commitment, we 
would not be celebrating twenty-seven productive years. Congratulations 
to everyone associated with AAMA and best wishes for continued success.

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