[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 133 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1900]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF LA CASA DE DON PEDRO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 2003

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor La Casa de Don Pedro 
for providing invaluable community programs and services for residents 
of New Jersey. La Casa celebrated its 30th anniversary on Friday, 
September 12, 2003.
  Since 1973, La Casa de Don Pedro has been providing a wealth of 
services to the residents of Newark, New Jersey and surrounding 
communities. La Casa currently provides over 20 programs and services 
that have made a profound difference in many lives. A true community-
based organization, La Casa was founded and continues to be driven by 
members committed to changing and improving their community.
  La Casa de Don Pedro has been tremendously successful in providing 
critical services for children, young people, adults, and families 
ranging from education and job training to emergency assistance. In 
2002, La Casa provided after-school programs to more than 300 children, 
ages 6 to 18, and Early Childhood Education programs for parents of 130 
families, 80 percent of whom maintained employment or remained with the 
program. La Casa's Weatherization Assistance Program helped 294 homes 
become more energy efficient, which will help families save thousands 
of dollars in energy costs.
  More than 410 adults received English language education or 
citizenship assistance from La Casa, and over 130 adults received 
immigration assistance. La Casa's Welfare to Work initiative had one of 
the highest job placement rates in Essex County in 2002, and its 
Telecommunications Learning Center served as a model for New Jersey's 
new Workplace Literacy Program. From its inception, La Casa has been a 
leader for the quality and wealth of services that it provides to 
members of the community, and its success proves that it will continue 
to be a model for similar organizations.
  La Casa de Don Pedro received the 2002 Excellence in Hispanic 
Leadership Award from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' 
Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development and was listed as 
one of the top 25 Hispanic Nonprofit Organizations of 2002 by Hispanic 
Business Magazine.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring La Casa de Don 
Pedro for thirty years of outstanding and dedicated work, and for 
making critical differences in the lives of many New Jersey residents.

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