[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E75]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E75]]



 TRIBUTE TO NORTH SAN MATEO COUNTY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ON THE OCCASION 
                        OF ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 28, 2003

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
and urge my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to 
join me in congratulating the Boys and Girls Club of North San Mateo 
County on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary.
   This extraordinary organization traces its roots back to April 16, 
1953, when the State of California granted the South San Francisco Boys 
Club non-profit status. Nine years after being recognized by the state, 
the Boys Club of America elected the South San Francisco Boys Club to 
full membership. During the following decades, the South San Francisco 
club continued to expand, and in the early 1970's began granting 
memberships to young girls. A merger with the Pacifica Boys and Girls 
Club augmented the continued growth of the club, and the collective 
organization changed its name in 1991 to the Boys and Girls Club of 
North San Mateo County.
  While its name may have changed, the club continues to inspire and 
assists all young people, especially those from disadvantaged 
circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, 
responsible and caring citizens. Providing a safe place to learn and 
grow, the Boys and Girls Club of North San Mateo County remains focused 
on its founding mission through five core areas of development. These 
areas, leadership skills, education, career development, health and 
life skills and the arts are key elements to providing a secure 
foundation from which the kids of today can develop into the leaders of 
tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, the Boys and Girls Club serves more 
than 3.3 million boys and girls at 3,103 locations across the nation 
and around the world. The illustrious roster of alumni include Bill 
Cosby, Alex Rodriguez, Brad Pitt, Michael Jordan, President Clinton, 
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Martin Sheen, Derek Jeter, Neil Diamond, and 
Denzel Washington. Since its inception in 1931 the Boys and Girls Club 
of America has made a difference in the lives of countless American 
children. However, it is with great pride that I am proud to say of all 
the locations the Club of Northern San Mateo County is the best around, 
and I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Club on its 
50th Anniversary.

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