[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 129 (Monday, October 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO LA RESURRECCION UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 16, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy and pride that I pay tribute 
to La Resurreccion United Methodist Church which, this past Sunday, 
moved to a new home in the Melrose Community of the Bronx at the 
historic Methodist building, which was built in 1878 by German 
Methodists.
  La Resurreccion has initiated effective ministries to address the 
needs of the community, such as creating one of the only church-
sponsored Harm Reduction/Needle Exchange programs. This program targets 
single room occupancy hotels in New York City, serving over twenty five 
hundred participants and employing fifteen to twenty people. La 
Resurreccion has created an Immigration Clinic with the assistance of 
lawyers who provide their services free of charge to assist 
undocumented Immigrants with legal advice. La Resurreccion has also 
opened an after-school tutoring program called Creando Horizontes, 
designed and directed by educational professionals to target and 
enhance the reading and math skills children from the first to the 
eight grades.
  Mr. Speaker, in collaboration with various community agencies, public 
officials and community leaders, La Resurreccion works to address the 
needs of our community. Among their prophetic ministries are: Educating 
and Empowering the Community, Advocating for Gay and Lesbian Rights, 
Advocating for the release of the Puerto Rican Political Prisoners, 
Advocating for Peace in Vieques, and Denouncing both Police Brutality 
and Anti-Immigration Laws. Presently, they are working with various 
agencies to create entrepreneurial opportunities for our young people.
  It is a privilege for me to represent the 16th district of New York, 
where the new home of La Resurreccion United Methodist Church is 
located. I am delighted by the church's success. I have witnessed 
first-hand the exemplary work they are doing for our community and I am 
deeply impressed. I applaud the commitment and the efforts of La 
Resurreccion United Methodist Church's staff, under the leadership of 
Reverend Eddie Lopez, Jr., in the assistance they provide to our 
community, as well as in facilitating educational opportunities for our 
youth.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing La 
Resurreccion United Methodist Church and its staff and in wishing them 
continued success in their new building.

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