[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MEXICAN AMERICAN 
                           ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HILDA L. SOLIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the University 
of Southern California Mexican American Alumni Association (USC MAAA). 
Since its inception, USC MAAA has committed itself to the development 
of funds to provide tuition assistance grants to Latino students 
enrolled at the University of Southern California.
  USC MAAA was founded by Raul Vargas and seven other alums, who 
approached the president of the university and set the parameters for 
the organization during the 1973-74 school year. The university offered 
to match the MAAA's undergraduate scholarship monies on a two to one 
basis, and the USC Graduate School offered to match the graduate 
student fellowships on a one to one basis.
  USC MAAA has provided educational grants to over 5,200 USC Latino 
students amounting to over $8.9 million dollars. As such, USC MAAA has 
played a critical role in helping students attain degrees in various 
fields such as medicine, law, media, business, humanities, science, and 
social sciences.
  The success of USC MAAA can be largely accredited to the leadership 
provided by its Executive Director, Raul Vargas. A USC alum himself, 
Raul Vargas recognizes the great financial obstacles that Latinos face 
in attaining their academic goals. Therefore, Raul Vargas has worked 
tirelessly to garner support for USC MAAA from prominent members of the 
community, so that Latino students can make their educational and 
career dreams a reality.
  This year, USC MAAA celebrates its 27th Annual Fundraising Dinner. I 
ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the work of USC MAAA.

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