[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 77 (Thursday, May 20, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2010

  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of a very special non-profit organization in my district, 
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), who celebrates 25 years of 
being the voice for abused and neglected children in Orange County.
  Founded in 1985, CASA of Orange County is dedicated to providing 
quality intervention and advocacy services for children who are caught 
up in the courts and unable to safely live at home--many of whom are 
abused, abandoned and neglected children.
  CASA of Orange County began with 15 volunteers and now has over 700 
volunteers serving as mentors and advocates for child abuse victims.
  In Orange County, on any given day, there are over 2,500 children and 
teens in foster care who have been removed from their homes due to 
chronic or severe abuse.
  In a sea of social workers, attorneys, therapists and caregivers, 
it's the court appointed volunteer who is a consistent and caring 
friend and advocate for the child.
  I want to commend CASA's volunteers and staff who are heroes to many 
of these children.
  Thank you for your compassion and commitment to positively 
influencing the lives of these very special children--one child at a 
time.

                          ____________________