[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 129 (Friday, October 4, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              EIGHTH AVENUE SENIOR CENTER 9TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 3, 2002

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise today to commemorate 
the 9th Anniversary Celebration of the Eighth Avenue Senior Center 
sponsored by the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association in my district.
  Founded in 1988, the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association began as a 
small social services agency dedicated to providing assistance to the 
Asian American community. Since then, that community has blossomed with 
over 250,000 residents that form the heart of Brooklyn's Chinatown.
  The B.C.A. has expanded with the Eighth Avenue Senior Center, which 
serves the community with daily meals, bilingual information, English 
as a Second Language classes, Citizenship classes, medical check-ups, 
and even field trips. Its membership is 1,800 and serves more than 200 
senior citizens each day. Such dedication to this community should be 
commended.
  On October 3, the Senior Center will host its Millennial Roundtable 
celebration in similar style, by pairing guests with 12 senior members 
aged 84 and older--a combined age of 1000 years. The Double Millennial 
Roundtable pairs guests with 23 members aged 87 years or older, for a 
combined age of 2000 years. This is a great tribute to the age, wisdom 
and contributions our senior citizens have made, and continue to make, 
to our community.

                          ____________________