[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE DALLAS HISPANIC YOUTH INSTITUTE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2011

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize the outstanding students who are participating in this week's 
Dallas Hispanic Youth Institute. Each year, the Hispanic College Fund 
hosts this empowerment event to help inspire Hispanic high school 
students in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to overcome barriers to 
higher education and pursue careers that only a college education can 
provide.
  By attending the Hispanic Youth Institute, these students have shown 
their desire to continue their educational attainment and taken 
proactive steps to achieve those dreams. Despite being the largest 
minority group in the United States, Hispanics have the lowest rate of 
higher education completion. As the Hispanic population in Texas and 
throughout the United States continues to grow, ensuring opportunities 
and success for all is essential to our economy and welfare. We cannot 
continue to compete globally as a country if we let millions of bright 
minds slip through the cracks.
  The Hispanic Youth Institute connects disadvantaged Hispanic high 
school students with local Hispanic professionals, college admissions 
officers, mentors, and other inspirational speakers. By providing 
informational seminars at on-campus settings, the Hispanic Youth 
Institute helps students build confidence and receive practical tools 
to help achieve a pathway to college.
  Many of the students at this week's Hispanic Youth Institute will 
become the first person in their family to attend and complete college. 
This is an important step for these young people, as well as the next 
generation who will look towards their example. They will become the 
role models of tomorrow, and I hope that this week's event will inspire 
them to give back.
  I would like to recognize the Social Security Administration for its 
commitment to volunteerism at the Hispanic Youth Institute under the 
direction of Raul Garduno. Additionally, I'd like to recognize Raul 
Magdaleno and all of the other individuals who have worked to make the 
Hispanic Youth Institute a success. Raul Magdaleno is the Chair of the 
Dallas Hispanic Youth Institute and has served as a key advocate for 
the program and Hispanic students since its inauguration in 2009. Each 
year, Raul inspires students through his story of overcoming extreme 
adversities to obtain a higher education by teaching students that the 
``number one ticket we have to fight poverty is education.''
  I am confident that this year's Dallas Hispanic Youth Institute will 
be a great success, and wish the 200 student participants best wishes 
in their studies and attaining their goals.

                          ____________________