[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E20]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SAN JOSE'S 
                     REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge and 
honor Catholic Charities of San Jose's 25th anniversary of its refugee 
resettlement programs.
  Less than 1 percent of the refugees in camps are accepted by Western 
countries for resettlement. Refugees who have already suffered 
unthinkable crimes and injustices are often forced to wait in camps for 
as long as 10 years before being interviewed for consideration. The 
very lucky few who are accepted for immigration to the United States 
often arrive with little to no money, few, if any, family and only the 
hope and dream of a better life.
  To ease this very difficult transition, Catholic Charities meets 
these refugees at the airport and begins the resettlement process 
immediately. They and their team of committed volunteers provide 
financial support for housing, food, clothing and other necessities, 
medical care, case management and independent living skills training 
such as budgeting skills, housing assistance and food preparation.
  In their 25 years of dedication and hard work, over 20,000 refugees 
have been assisted in their quest to build a better life for themselves 
and their future generations. Catholic Charities of San Jose provides 
these valuable services at no cost to the immigrant.
  This program is one of many that Catholic Charities provides in its 
overall vision of transforming lives. This wonderful organization 
strives to empower meaningful, quality living through economic, 
familial and emotional stability. Catholic Charities serves people of 
all beliefs, cultures, ethnicities and ages and serves a diverse 
population from various ethnic backgrounds and provides services in 17 
languages.
  It is indeed an honor and a privilege to have a warm, welcoming and 
nurturing organization in my district that appreciates and honors the 
diversity that makes America, and specifically San Jose, California, a 
desirable place to live, work and raise a family.

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