[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 127 (Friday, August 3, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING THE EBUSUA CLUB OF SAN BRUNO FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY 
   GENEROSITY TOWARD THE PEOPLE OF GHANA AND ITS DEEP COMMITMENT TO 
                   BUILDING COMMUNITY IN THE BAY AREA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exceptional 
organization based in San Bruno, California. The Ebusua Club is a truly 
unique and outstanding group, made up of 18 Ghanaian-American families. 
Together, they work to improve lives in the Republic of Ghana, which 
was once their home, while building community in the San Francisco Bay 
Area where they have put down roots. Ebusua's annual events and 
charitable activities set a singular example for the people of both 
countries. By sponsoring projects that range from micro-enterprise in 
Ghana to soccer teams in the Bay Area, Ebusua has created a truly 
global community of compassion and generosity.
  Among many other important projects, the members of the Ebusua Club 
have dedicated themselves to anti-malaria initiatives aimed at 
eradicating a disease that tragically kills 3,000 children each day, 
the majority in sub-Saharan Africa, despite the availability of 
prevention and treatment options.
  Additionally, the club annually participates in the Multiple Myeloma 
Research Foundation's Race for Research to honor a member lost to this 
terrible disease, Chaka Impraim. To honor his memory, the Ebusua team 
runs every year under the name ``Chaka's Champions.''
  And the members of this group truly are champions, Madam Speaker, as 
they have also worked with Rotary International to train about 100 
Ghanaian farmers in agriculture, food preservation and nutrition; 
organized materials, equipment and medical assistance to rehabilitate 
street children; dispensed polio vaccines to over two million infants 
and children; supported literacy programs by providing much-needed 
books for rural schools; and developed a low cost solar oven industry 
to efficiently replace chopped firewood.
  This month, the Ebusua Club will hold a very special event--the 
Jubilee Ball, which not only marks the 10th anniversary of this 
successful organization, but also the 50th anniversary of the 
independence of Ghana, the first African country south of the Sahara to 
gain independence from colonial rule. This event promises to be a 
celebration of family, community and culture, and to live up to the 
primary purpose of the Ebusua Club--promoting Ghanaian culture and 
fostering an appreciation of how small contributions can make a 
tremendous impact on the well-being of others. In keeping with the 
group's charitable character, proceeds from the Jubilee Ball will be 
donated to help fight malaria in Ghana.
  The name ``Ebusua'' itself is informative of the spirit of this 
marvelous organization. Among the Akan people of Ghana, the extended 
family, or ``Ebusua,'' is the foundation of society. The members of 
this San Bruno group constitute a social network, collectively 
responsible for the material and spiritual welfare, physical 
protection, and the social security of each other. They exemplify the 
old adage that ``it takes a village,'' and the village this group has 
created is nothing short of extraordinary. It is my pleasure to 
recognize their accomplishments, and wish them all the best as they 
prepare for their 2007 Jubilee Ball.

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