[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 27, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E102-E103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE ALBANY PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 27, 2010

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Albany 
Park Community Center for receiving the League of Women Voters Award 
for outstanding leadership in voter education.
  The Center received the award for its dedicated service to increase 
voter awareness and civic participation in the Albany Park community, a 
multi-ethnic, working class neighborhood in Chicago. In order to 
accomplish its goals, the Center held 25 adult education classes that 
focused on voting, placed bulletin boards with election-related content 
inside the Center, assisted voters in locating their polling places and 
understanding their local ballots, registered voters, and participated 
in the 2008 Mock Election coordinated with the League of Women Voters 
of Illinois. The Mock Election showed how successful their efforts had 
been when 318 of the 322 ballots were cast correctly.
  They succeeded in reaching over 300 students through their adult 
education classes and successfully registered newly-naturalized 
citizens and others who had never voted or who let their registration 
lapse. Many of the students had levels of education or English language 
skills, and the program catered directly to their needs.
  As part of the ``Albany Park Votes!'' program, members of the Center 
went above and beyond their job descriptions, aiding and registering 58 
members of the community, most of whom went on to vote in the next 
election. The program was especially successful in educating the entire 
community in the civil process, as most of the adult students brought 
educational materials to their children and encouraged them to vote in 
the Mock Election, thereby reinforcing the importance of voting and 
preparing them for when they become eligible voters. In this way, 
Albany Park Community Center's program will have a long term

[[Page E103]]

impact on the community's involvement in the civil process.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Albany Park Community Center for their dedicated efforts to increase 
voter awareness and civic participation. Their efforts demonstrate how 
great the democratic process can be.

                          ____________________