[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 56 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE IN RECOGNITION OF THE LOS ANGELES CONSERVATION CORPS' 25TH 
  ANNIVERSARY OF PROVIDING SKILLS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO AT-RISK YOUNG 
                                 ADULTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 15, 2011

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Los 
Angeles Conservation Corps, a non-profit organization based in the 
Greater Los Angeles area that is dedicated to providing at-risk young 
adults with opportunities through job skills training, education and 
work experience emphasizing conservation and service projects that 
benefit the community.
  The organization was founded by former United States Secretary of 
Commerce and Trade Ambassador, Mickey Kantor in 1986. He charged a team 
of conservation professionals--including Bruce Saito, a founding staff 
member--with bringing the successful model of the California 
Conservation Corps (CCC) of the 1970s to an impoverished, crime-
blighted South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. This team recruited 27 
high-school dropouts who, before the Corps, had few career options 
besides gang life and drug dealing. Equipping these new ``corps 
members'' with the tools of conservation, the Corps gave them 
opportunities to recognize and focus their assets on building up their 
communities. In alignment with the CCC model, on alternating weeks, 
these young men and women attended school at the Corps.
  Today, this tradition continues through the Young Adult Corps (YAC) 
program, which seeks to transform young adult high school dropouts with 
negative or nonexistent employment into responsible, skilled employees. 
Corps members work in teams led by crew supervisors who are adept at 
training young adults. They engage them in conservation work that is 
challenging, skill-building and prepares them for entry-level positions 
in fields such as green construction, renewable energy generation, 
energy efficiency, environmental remediation, forestry and 
firefighting.
  Since its inception, the Corps' focus has been on improving job 
skills and education. More than 1,000 Corps members without a diploma 
have been assigned to the Young Adult Corps High School to complete the 
necessary credits for an accredited high school diploma. Supporting 
them throughout the process is a team of case managers and transition 
staff who assist them in focusing on their goals while helping to 
eliminate previous barriers to their success. Upon graduation, the 
Corps' Russell Kantor Memorial Fund continues to support these young 
adults by providing more than $1.3 million in scholarships for college 
or advanced training.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of their 25th Anniversary, I ask my 
congressional colleagues to please join me and the residents of the 
34th Congressional District in congratulating the Los Angeles 
Conservation Corps for providing an invaluable service to the City of 
Los Angeles and our young people. I congratulate Corps Executive 
Director, Bruce Saito, the members of the Corps' Board of Directors and 
all of the many supporters who make the Corps the treasure that it is 
today. I wish them and everyone involved in its growth and mission many 
more years of continued success.

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