[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KIDS BREAKFAST CLUB

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 25, 2003

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Kids Breakfast Club 
of Hayward, California on its 10th anniversary.
  The Kids Breakfast Club was started by educator Marlena Uhrik as a 
program designed to provide a healthy breakfast and activities during 
school breaks for children who depend on school lunches for nutrition.
  After serving 200 breakfasts to low-income children and their 
families at the Club's inaugural event in December, 1992, Marlena 
developed a more comprehensive program to include a free breakfast 
along with expanded opportunities for learning.
  Today the program serves children during winter and spring breaks, 
and includes arts and crafts for children, a literacy program with 
story time and storytelling, free books, clothing, and health and 
dental screenings and referrals.
  While the children are engaged in activities, the adults attend adult 
education classes on topics that interest them, including gang 
prevention, nutrition, drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, and receive 
training in first aid, CPR, and parenting skills. All of the presenters 
are bilingual to serve Spanish-speaking parents.
  The Kids' Breakfast Club has grown from one location to five, and 
over 30,000 breakfasts have been served in the program's 10 years of 
existence. The program also includes a year-round, once-a-month 
Saturday program. It has formed partnerships with the Youth Enrichment 
Program to provide tutoring for the students, and the Hayward Adult 
School to provide presenters and leadership.
  I am honored to commend the Kids' Breakfast Club and its founder 
Merlena Uhrik for its dedication to providing children and their 
families with a safe and healthy start when school is not in session. 
The Club has brought the community together to show true meaning of the 
African proverb ``it takes an entire village to raise a child.''

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