[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO EL PRIMER PASO, LTD.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor El Primer Paso, 
Ltd., a pre-school in Dover, New Jersey, a vibrant organization I am 
proud to represent. On June 10, 2006 El Primer Paso is celebrating over 
35 years of educating young, non-English speaking children.
  El Primer Paso is a non-profit early childhood education center. Its 
primary goals are to provide opportunities for growth and development 
of ideas, imagination, initiative and self-reliance to the pre-school 
children who are enrolled in its program.
  El Primer Paso prepares non-English speaking children to meet the 
challenges of the American school system. Adult English classes and 
other support services are also available to encourage parents to 
participate in school and community activities. A two-day a week pre-
school program provides an extra year of preparation for non-English 
speaking children before they attend area schools.
  El Primer Paso was founded in Dover by a group of volunteers in the 
late 1960's. The program primarily serves low and moderate income 
Hispanic families in Morris County, New Jersey. It has grown and 
changed over the years to meet the needs of this community. In the 
1970's, parents requested adult English classes to enable them to help 
their children and to obtain better jobs. Today, the program serves 
approximately 30 adults a year and includes training for driver's tests 
and citizenship tests and preparation for continuing education.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge you and my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the dedicated and talented trustees, staff and 
volunteers of El Primer Paso, Ltd. on the celebration of over 35 years 
of providing critical educational services to the Dover community.

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