[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E613-E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY AFFAIRS 
                  COUNCIL'S SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2007

  Mr. STARK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 25th Anniversary 
of the Hispanic Community Affairs Council's Scholarship Awards Program. 
On May 3, 2007, members of the community will gather at Chabot 
Community College in Hayward, California to honor this milestone 
achievement.
  The Hispanic Community Affairs Council (HCAC) is a community-based 
organization in Alameda County, California. It was organized in 1978 by 
a group of individuals interested in providing a forum to debate issues 
of interest to the Latino/Hispanic communities, to share information 
regarding employment opportunities and to develop a broad network of 
concerned individuals. The overall purpose of HCAC is to promote the 
value of education, cultural diversity, community involvement and 
political awareness.
  A primary focus of the HCAC is the promotion of higher education in 
the Hispanic community through its annual Scholarship Awards Program. 
Since the establishment of this program, HCAC has awarded more than one 
million dollars to over 1,200 students for their pursuit of higher 
education. Scholarship recipients will attend 4-year colleges and 
universities, community, colleges, vocational training schools, or 
engage in graduate studies.
  In 1983 HCAC awarded two scholarships. As the program continued to 
progress, HCAC celebrated its 20th year by awarding 100 scholarships. 
In 2005 HCAC awarded over 1,000 scholarships and in 2006, the 
organization reached a milestone of over one million dollars in 
scholarship awards.
  One hundred percent of the money HCAC raises goes into its 
scholarship program. The organization does not have paid staff and 
everyone working on the scholarship program is a volunteer. 
Scholarships of $1,500 to students attending a 4-year college or post 
graduate program and $750 awards to students attending a community 
college are based on academic achievement, financial need, and a 
commitment by the students to give back to their respective communities 
after completing their education and achieving their career goals.
  The Hispanic Community Affairs Council is an exemplary non-profit 
organization providing invaluable opportunities for Hispanic students 
to pursue their higher education. I applaud the efforts of the partners 
of HCAC who contribute

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financially to the scholarship program and the volunteers who also work 
tirelessly to ensure the success of this model scholarship awards 
program.

                          ____________________