[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING ESTHER MEDINA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MEXICAN AMERICAN 
                     COMMUNITY SERVICES AGENCY, INC

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the great 
contributions of Esther Medina, the executive director of the Mexican 
American Community Services Agency, Inc. (MACSA). Founded in 1964, 
MACSA has established itself as the leader in the Latino community in 
the area of advocacy, social justice, youth/family/senior services, 
implementation and operation of two charter schools and the development 
of affordable housing.
  Esther Medina was hired as the executive director of MACSA in 1982. 
At that time, MACSA was on the verge of losing funding from the United 
Way and was put on a 3-month corrective action plan to prove fiscal 
solvency, stable management and leadership. At that time, the finances 
were in such disarray, MACSA had no money in its budget to operate. 
Esther was able to convince the United Way to allocate $27,000 to keep 
its doors open for 3 more months. Through Esther's efforts, she 
transformed MACSA from an organization with 1 full-time and 1 part-time 
employee, on the verge of having it's doors closed forever, to an 
organization with 120 employees and an annual operating budget of over 
seven million dollars as well as developing and owning it's current 
headquarter building, 2 acclaimed affordable housing projects for 
seniors, a full service 25,000 square foot multi-service youth center, 
a youth/teen intervention center, and 2 public charter high schools.
  Esther Medina exemplifies the characteristics of a competent leader 
by being true to her values as a human being. The astounding success of 
MACSA is clearly attributable to her outstanding leadership.

                          ____________________