[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING OAKLAND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Oakland Community 
Organizations (OCO), a faith-based community organizing network in 
Oakland, California. Today, OCO celebrates 30 years of advocacy and 
invaluable service to the community.
  In 1972, OCO was established as an organizing project of Fathers John 
Baumann, S.J. and Jerry Helfrich S.J., the founders of the Pacific 
Institute for Community Organization (PICO) network. PICO is a national 
network with faith-based organizations at work in over 45 cities in 12 
states across the United States, pursuing initiatives in areas such as 
healthcare access, education reform and affordable housing.
  From 1972-1977, Baumann and Helfrich focused on building neighborhood 
organizations in West Oakland, San Antonio, Fruitvale, Central East 
Oakland from 50th to 80th Streets, and Elmhurst area. Neighborhood 
after neighborhood worked on issues like junkyards, stray dogs, 
prostitution, zoning, crime and vacant housing. On May 14, 1977 over 
1,000 people gathered at Merritt College to officially give birth to 
OCO, articulating the faith values that today are the foundation of 
OCO's organizing principles.
  For the next 8 years, OCO operated successfully as a neighborhood 
based organization, bringing people together around local and citywide 
issues. During this period, OCO achieved major victories in areas such 
as affordable housing, local hiring, and I the rehabilitation of once-
vacant houses. 
  In 1985, with the support of PICO, OCO began the transition from a 
neighborhood-organizing model to a congregation community-based model. 
Using this method, OCO developed strong local organizations in seven 
congregations. During the 1980's OCO received national accolades in 
many areas, but in particular for its groundbreaking work in 
partnership with the City of Oakland to combat drug use.
  In the 1990s, OCO leaders turned their attention on the root causes 
of poverty in Oakland and focused on developing sustainable solutions 
for complex problems. During that time, OCO organized thousands of 
people for major citywide action that resulted in the creation of 
Aviation High School, a pilot school-to-work transition program; the 
Hope Campaign, which created smaller kindergarten class sizes; and the 
opening of a grocery store in West Oakland.
  OCO has continued this proud tradition of advocacy and innovation 
through the present day. Over the past several years, OCO has again 
charted new territory in several areas through initiatives such as the 
Restructuring of two Oakland High Schools, Castlemont High School and 
Fremont High School, into separate but interconnected schools within 
their respective schools. Furthermore, OCO continues its extraordinary 
advocacy work in the areas of healthcare access, immigrants' rights and 
affordable housing.
  On May 11, 2007, OCO will celebrate its 30th anniversary in Oakland, 
California. I would like to mark this occasion by commending the 
organization for the exceptional service it has provided to the 
community not only in its capacity as an institution of faith and 
worship, but also as a leader in working to provide services and 
advocacy to the people of Oakland. By remaining committed to the areas 
of leadership and service throughout its 30 years of community 
organizing and action, OCO has contributed enormously not only to the 
Oakland community, but also to our State, our country and our world.

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