[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 52 (Thursday, April 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E672]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   IN HONOR OF LET'S CELEBRATE, INC., FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING 
                  HUNGER AND POVERTY IN HUDSON COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 1999

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Let's Celebrate, 
Inc., for its hard work and dedication to battling poverty in Hudson 
County.
  For more than 17 years, Let's Celebrate, Inc., has been instrumental 
in assisting individuals ``move from hunger to wholeness.'' By 
implementing a continuum of care through counseling, job training, 
emergency food assistance, adult basic education, and housing 
assistance, Let's Celebrate has become a vital force in stamping out 
poverty in my district.
  With more than 40 staff members, 750 volunteers, and 27 service and 
meal sites throughout the area, this impressive organization is 
responsible for aiding and encouraging countless families to move from 
dependency to self-sufficiency.
  Through innovative programs such as JobPower and Celebrate Catering, 
Let's Celebrate provides invaluable, hands-on training designed to help 
clients gain experience, develop job skills, and learn to adapt to a 
work environment. These efforts are so successful that Let's Celebrate 
secures jobs for 85 percent of its trainees.
  In addition, Let's Celebrate supplies emergency food assistance 
programs through the Emergency Food Network and The Square Meal 
Community Center. These soup kitchens and pantries serve more than 
125,000 meals per year to our neediest citizens--600 of which are 
distributed through the Senior Services program. They also help 
distribute clothing, offer counseling, and provide referrals.
  Let's Celebrate's efforts exemplify leadership and dedication to 
eliminating poverty in Hudson County. For these tremendous 
contributions to New Jersey, I am very happy to honor Let's Celebrate 
for its achievements on its 17th Anniversary. I salute and congratulate 
Let's Celebrate on these extraordinary accomplishments.

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