[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1130-E1131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING WORCESTER COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL WARM FRIENDS AWARDS 
                               RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 2003

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to this year's 
Worcester Community Action Council Warm Friends Award recipients from 
the City of Worcester. I am very

[[Page E1131]]

proud of the service these recipients have given to the people of the 
City of Worcester.
  Mr. Speaker, the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), created 
in 1965, serves as an umbrella organization for 20 education and social 
service programs. It includes Energy Assistance, Head Start, Healthy 
Families, Training and Youth Education Mediation, Consumer Council, and 
Community Connections. WCAC's mission is ``to stimulate change in the 
fundamental causes of poverty and to create and provide opportunities 
for economic self-sufficiency through services, partnership, and 
advocacy.''
  Mr. Speaker, this ceremony honors organizations and individuals who 
promote economic self-sufficiency and work tirelessly on behalf of 
those less fortunate in our society. The following recipients are being 
honored today for their commitment to the education of all of our 
children: Allmerica Financial, for their support of WCAC's Cityworks 
Program; Anne Quinne for her work to develop programs for at-risk 
youth; and Lisa Perez for her efforts to encourage parent involvement 
in Worcester's schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to acknowledge the contributions of the 
following organizations: Nstar Gas for its support of weatherization 
services for families; University Home Improvement and Ken Martinetty 
for their services as weatherization contractors; and Amara Thomas for 
her participation in the Cityworks corps member and current IDA 
participant.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, we are also honoring the contributions of the 
following community leaders: State Representative Robert Spellane for 
his service on behalf of families in need; Worcester County Treasurer 
Michael Donoghue for his exemplary community service; Mike Keegan for 
his leadership of WCAC; Winifred Octave for her parent leadership 
efforts; Dr. James Ostromecky for his free dental services for Head 
Start children; Christopher and Laura Pallotta for their support of 
WCAC's mediation services; Marge Perves for her community involvement 
and volunteer mediation services; Larry Raymond for his commitment to 
family and self sufficiency; and Steve Teasdale for his efforts to 
revitalize the Main South neighborhood.
  Mr. Speaker these individuals are the embodiment of our collective 
common good, and I am sure that my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives join me in extending sincere thanks to the recipients 
of WCAC's Warm Friends Awards.

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