[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING CIVIC WORKS FOR RECEIVING THE CORPS NETWORK'S EXCELLENCE IN 
                        CORPS OPERATIONS STATUS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Civic Works' 
service to Baltimore and to congratulate the organization for earning 
the Corps Network's Excellence in Corps Operations (ECO) Status.
  Civic Works' strong commitment to the local community is defined in 
its mission to assist Baltimore residents in creating a better future 
for their city. With the help of approximately 200 AmeriCorps 
volunteers each year, Civic Works serves Baltimore by performing a 
variety of tasks such as tutoring and mentoring children, building 
community parks and gardens, and rehabilitating abandoned houses for 
low-income families. The volunteers participate in team-based projects 
and weekly academic enrichment to effect positive change in their lives 
and their community. Each year, Civic Works also trains and helps 200 
Baltimore residents find employment through its Health Care Careers 
Alliance partnership with five of Baltimore's hospitals and the B'more 
Green environmental technician training and certification program. 
Since its creation in 1993, Civic Works has trained and assisted more 
than 2,500 Baltimore area participants.
  The ECO Status is bestowed upon various Service and Conservation 
Corps that make a commitment to high-quality standards and continuous 
improvements. Each organization's performance is reviewed in several 
areas through self-assessment and peer reviews. This year's evaluation 
revealed that Civic Works ``exhibits a strong commitment to its local 
community which can be seen throughout all its programs and projects. 
Community partners and residents clearly benefit from the work Civic 
Works completes.''
  ECO also recognized Civic Works for their ``consistently clean 
financial record and for Board members and staff that are extremely 
engaged.'' One reason for such glowing reviews is the leadership of its 
president and executive director, Delegate Dana Stein. Mr. Stein is one 
of the original co-founders of Civic Works. He has served as a leader 
in the Baltimore community in several capacities, most recently being 
elected to the Maryland House of Delegates from the 11th District. Dana 
is committed to improving the lives of those who live and work in the 
Baltimore community and that commitment is replicated by those who have 
worked with him to help Civic Works achieve this status.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of all those who have benefited directly and 
indirectly from this commitment, I want to once again congratulate 
Civic Works on achieving the Excellence in Corps Operations Status.

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