[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE WHITNEY FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate The Whitney Foundation on ten years of successful grant 
making in the greater Fresno area. Their ten year celebration will be 
held in Fresno, California on Thursday, July 22, 2010.
  The Whitney Foundation was founded by Kathryn Whitney Stephens in 
1999 and was based on the philosophy that one should share with others 
what one is given. When Ms. Stephens came into an inheritance the 
decision about what to do with the money was simple: share it with 
those that are less fortunate and bring a positive change in their 
lives. She wanted to help others become self-sufficient, productive 
members of society. With this vision, and a two million dollar 
endowment, The Whitney Foundation was created and the Board of Trustees 
was put into place in July 2000. Ms. Stephens and the board initially 
decided that the grants they provided would not fund direct services, 
but would support programs that develop self-determination and self-
reliance through health, education and housing. While Ms. Stephens has 
since passed away, The Whitney Foundation still holds true to it's 
original mission.
  While the Foundation initially provided funding to a broad range of 
groups who worked in the areas of health, education and housing, the 
Board has since narrowed it's focus and created a niche within these 
areas to support groups who's goals involve overcoming obstacles, 
bringing about social change and lending assistance to organizations or 
projects that would otherwise fall through the cracks. The Whitney 
Foundation has helped to fund various housing projects including 
homeownership education classes, neighborhood improvement and the 
construction or rehabilitation of low income housing units. They have 
also funded projects that educate others about how to become more self-
sufficient by learning new skills for future employment and living in 
safer and less violent neighborhoods. Finally, The Whitney Foundation 
has provided funding to a number of health projects that reach out to 
the uninsured, immigrant health needs and programs that promote 
culturally sensitive services. The Whitney Foundation has funded over 
twenty projects that have one or more of these principals. Through the 
Foundation's generosity, non-profits have been able to extend services 
that fulfill a need in the community.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate The Whitney 
Foundation on ten years of giving. I invite my colleagues to join me in 
wishing The Whitney Foundation many years of continued success.

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