[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING OPPORTUNITIES FOR A BETTER TOMORROW ON THEIR 15TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 1999

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Opportunities for a 
Better Tomorrow, and its Executive Director Sister Mary Franciscus as 
they celebrate their 15th Anniversary.
  We are at the dawn of the 21st Century. As we look ahead there are 
many challenges that will face Americans in the new millennium. And 
while these challenges hold many opportunities and great possibility, 
the rewards will only be realized if people have the skills and the 
training they need to compete and succeed. That's why I applaud 
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, and its Executive Director, Sister 
Mary Franciscus.
  For the past fifteen years, Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, has 
been committed to the education and training of individuals throughout 
Brooklyn. This organization has helped thousands of people receive the 
skills they need to join the workforce. The training programs and 
educational services they offer have provided countless people with 
access not only to work, but have given them a chance to live the 
American Dream. The importance of this effort cannot be understated.
  Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, is one of the best examples of 
community activism in New York. The organization is consistently rated 
as one of New York's top employment agencies, and the reason for that 
is simple: they are not just an employment agency, but they are an 
organization that is deeply committed to the community and committed to 
the people who live and work there. Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow 
develops people into proficient, accountable and skilled professionals. 
And a graduate of the Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow program 
becomes a well-rounded individual, who learns self-respect and self-
esteem which many times they otherwise might not have.
  In a highly competitive, highly technological time such as this, 
people must be highly skilled. Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow 
gives people a chance to develop the skills that they otherwise might 
not have. For thousands of people throughout Brooklyn, Opportunities 
for a Better Tomorrow has provided the key to open doors of 
opportunity.
  For these reasons, I would like my colleagues to join me in 
applauding Sister Mary Franciscus and the leadership and membership of 
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow. The success of the program is 
directly linked to the dedication, and quality of its leaders and 
teachers. I congratulate them on the celebration of their 15th 
Anniversary and wish them the best of luck for the next 15 and beyond.

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