[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF TELACU AND THE 25TH 
              ANNIVERSARY OF TELACU'S EDUCATION FOUNDATION

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                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2008

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize TELACU, 
an organization based in East Los Angeles in my 34th Congressional 
District, on the occasion of its 40th anniversary and to recognize 
TELACU's Education Foundation on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.
  TELACU, which stands for The East Los Angeles Community Union, is a 
pioneer in empowering and revitalizing communities in our great State 
of California and throughout our Nation. In 1968, TELACU was born as a 
Community Development Corporation (CDC) through seed money appropriated 
by Congress. Since then, TELACU has grown to become the largest CDC in 
the Nation with more than $500 million in assets.
  For 40 years, under the innovative and dynamic leadership of David C. 
Lizarraga who serves as Chairman, President and CEO of TELACU, this 
corporation has provided our young people and families with the tools 
they need to achieve the American dream. Through its core businesses, 
TELACU has created thousands of jobs, affordable homes, loans to small 
businesses and families, and most importantly, numerous educational 
opportunities for our Latino community.
  In response to crisis-level dropout rates for Latino students in 
college, TELACU created the TELACU Education Foundation 25 years ago. 
Working in partnership with a vast network of colleges, universities, 
corporations and individuals, the TELACU Education Foundation has 
awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to thousands of deserving 
students.
  As the centerpiece of the foundation, the TELACU Scholarship Program 
annually provides scholarships to 600 college and graduate students who 
are the first in their families to access higher education. Realizing 
that financial resources alone cannot fully meet these students' needs, 
the program also provides the scholars with comprehensive academic and 
career guidance to ensure that all of them graduate.
  The foundation also serves an additional 2,000 elementary, middle and 
high school students, nursing students, and veterans. Through 
comprehensive educational programs, these scholars are not only 
inspired to pursue higher education, but are also equipped to meet the 
rigorous expectations of college. As a result, 100 percent of TELACU's 
high school students earn their high school diploma and continue on to 
pursue post-secondary education.
  Madam Speaker, on the occasions of TELACU's 40th anniversary and its 
Education Foundation's 25th anniversary, I join today with fellow 
leaders throughout my State in commending David Lizarraga and these 
dynamic institutions for their extraordinary efforts to empower our 
young people and our communities, and I wish them many years of 
continued success ahead.

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