[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 52 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE HARLEM CONGREGATIONS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT, INC. AND THE NEW 
                      YORK STATE ASSEMBLY CITATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, again I rise to offer yet another much 
deserved tribute to the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, 
Inc. (HCCI) and to also enter into the Record the wording directly from 
a New York State Assembly Citation proudly bestowed upon the HCCI in 
recognition of the HCCI's exemplary contributions to the citizens of 
Harlem.
  The HCCI, founded in 1986, is a diverse inter-faith consortium of 
more than 90 congregations established to revitalize the Central Harlem 
community. Needless to say, the HCCI continues to make a substantial 
impact in Harlem. To sing the praises of this dynamic organization I 
will reiterate some of the initiatives they have successfully launched 
and maintained over the last twenty years. The HCCI is responsible for 
developing low and moderate income housing, creating supportive health 
and human services facilities and programs, providing commercial 
development opportunities for local businesses, expanding cultural 
programs, and providing assistance to families and individuals living 
with disabilities by providing housing and support facilities.
  On April 27, 2006 during the HCCI's 20th anniversary gala dinner 
celebration held at the Rockefeller Center's Rainbow Room in New York 
City, HCCI honored the Bank of New York with their ``Community 
Development Award'' recognizing the bank's support of HCCI's 
comprehensive community development initiatives in Harlem, in 
particular, the bank's operating support for the organization and 
mortgage financing to HCCI clients. The Bank of New York offers 
affordable mortgage loan products for first time homebuyers, homeowners 
seeking refinancing, home renovation, reverse mortgages and also 
provides construction loans to both not-for-profit and for-profit 
housing developers. The bank, through its program support, has been 
instrumental in contributing to the remarkable revitalization 
initiatives in Harlem.
  As Lloyd Brown, executive vice president of the Bank of New York 
stated during the award acceptance speech . . . ``We congratulate HCCI 
on its 20th year of community service in Harlem . . . (HCCI) is an 
organization that is successful in building affordable 
housing, creating commercial and job opportunities and providing health 
and social services to the people of Harlem.'' I join Mr. Brown to add 
my heartfelt congratulations.

  Mr. Speaker, lastly, I would like to acknowledge and enter into the 
Record the wording from the prestigious citation bestowed upon the 
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. by the New York 
State Assembly.

                    New York State Assembly Citation

       Whereas, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement 
     (HCCI) was founded in 1986 as a consortium of 16 Harlem 
     Churches, whose first president was the late Bishop Preston 
     R. Washington, Sr. and today has a membership of over 90 
     Churches, Mosques and a Synagogue;
       Whereas, HCCI began as a grassroots planning and organizing 
     initiative, that has raised millions of dollars through 
     ecclesiastical, entrepreneurial, and educational partnerships 
     throughout the years. HCCl's interminable drive to improve 
     the quality of life of all Harlemites, and dedication to 
     community service is evidenced in the reversal of urban 
     blight and deterioration concurrently, block by block;
       Whereas, quality affordable housing has been the 
     centerpiece of HCCl's services to the community from the 
     beginning and to date has over 2,000 units of truly 
     affordable housing built through innovative cross sector 
     collaborations including elected officials, housing 
     departments and banking institutions;
       Whereas, HCCI has enhanced the livelihoods of many through 
     adult education programs, welfare to work training literacy, 
     trades and construction and computer technology and 
     programming with proven success in job readiness and 
     placement;
       Whereas, HCCI has taken the leadership in addressing health 
     issues affecting the community, most notably is the pilot 
     program Community Organizations and Congregations for Health 
     that offers technical assistance to faith based institutions 
     to start non-profits that sustain HIV/AIDS prevention 
     services;
       Whereas, a Great State is only as great as those persons 
     who give exemplary service to their community, whether 
     through participation in voluntary programs, through unique 
     personal achievement in their professional or other endeavors 
     or simply through a lifetime of good citizenry; and
       Whereas, such services, which is truly the lifeblood of the 
     community and state, so often goes unrecognized and 
     unrewarded; now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that as a duly elected Member of the State 
     Assembly of New York, I recognize that in Harlem 
     Congregations for Community Improvement we have outstanding 
     citizens, ones who are worthy of the esteem of both the 
     Community and the great State of New York.

                          ____________________