[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 51 (Friday, March 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY OF MAUI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MAZIE K. HIRONO

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 22, 2007

  Ms. HIRONO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 42nd 
Anniversary of Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO), which was 
chartered as a community action agency on March 22, 1965, by Federal 
mandate under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964.
  The motto of MEO is ``Helping People. Changing Lives.'' And for these 
past 42 years, MEO has maintained a successful record of service by 
providing basic tools for living, for earning, for self-reliance, and 
for community involvement.
  MEO has initiated many important programs on the Valley Isle, which 
include specialized bus transportation for seniors, persons with 
disabilities, and youth; Head Start; Enlace Hispano; community 
reintegration of prison former inmates; micro-enterprise loans; 
business education for low income entrepreneurs; employment training 
and placement programs; Low Income Home Energy Assistance; and energy 
conservation and home energy assistance for low-income persons. Most 
impressively, MEO is able to serve all three islands that comprise the 
County of Maui: Maui, Lanai, and Molokai.
  MEO is one of only a handful of agencies--out of over 1,000 community 
action agencies nationwide--selected by the National Community Action 
Partnership to receive an Agency of Excellence Award, highlighting 
superior administrative operations and program excellence. This 
translates into advocacy and outstanding services tailored to the needs 
of the Maui community.
  I would like to extend a sincere mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) 
to the staff of MEO for their hard work and dedication. May the next 
four decades prove to be as successful.

                          ____________________