[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 64 (Thursday, May 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    RECOGNIZING THE YMCA COMMUNITY SERVICES NEW MILLENNIUM PROGRAM 
                               GRADUATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2001

  Mr. TOM DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
group of citizens in Northern Virginia who will be celebrating their 
graduation from the YMCA Community Service New Millennium Program on 
Friday, May 11, 2001. Forty-eight people will be receiving their 
certificates for completing this challenging program.
  The New Millennium Program is a joint, after-school effort run by 
Arlington Public Schools, Arlington Community Television and YMCA 
Community Services Department. It is also the only television program 
exclusively for youth in this area. It has been in existence for two 
years and has been extremely successful. The goal of the Program is to 
teach volunteer secondary school students the field of video 
production. After receiving instruction from the staff of Channel 33, 
the students pick a subject, and then write, film and edit their work.
  The Metropolitan YMCA Community Services Office and its predecessor, 
The Refugee Services Office, based in Arlington, have been providing 
multi-cultural programs for our evermore-diverse and dynamic population 
for over twenty years.
  The YMCA Community Services Office has been instrumental in opening 
doors for people who have come here from all over the world. Among the 
many services provided are:
  English as a Second Language classes for adults during the evening 
hours.
  After-school tutorials for students so that they keep pace with their 
peers.
  Multi-cultural and adaptation workshops for adults and teens and 
their families to ease ``culture shock.''
  Millennium Youth Program designed to focus on technology, its impact 
on youth, and approaches for positive influence on the target audience.
  Interpreting and translating services.
  Job placement and housing referral service.
  The above programs, staffed and executed almost entirely by 
volunteers, are an admirable example of how a few people can make a 
positive difference in the lives of many.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I would like to extend my congratulations to 
the individuals who have completed this program. It is truly an honor 
to have individuals like this in our community.
  I ask that all of my colleagues join me in commending this 
hardworking group.

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