[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1639]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  RECOGNIZING ANTONIO M. ``TONY'' PEREZ 2011 FRANK P. ZEIDLER PUBLIC 
                         SERVICE AWARD HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Ms. MOORE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Antonio M. ``Tony'' 
Perez, recipient of the 2011 Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award. Mr. 
Perez is a long-time social justice advocate, mentor, community leader 
and consummate professional. He currently serves as secretary-executive 
director of the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM). The 
Frank P. Zeidler Public Service Award acknowledges residents whose 
efforts most embody the social justice and public service values and 
vision of former Mayor Zeidler, who died in 2006 at the age of 93.
  Mr. Perez' body of work has been exemplary. He founded the Milwaukee 
Community Service Corps (MCSC), a non-profit vocational training 
organization that continues to provide employment and education to 
young adults in Milwaukee. It was modelled after the 1930s Civilian 
Conservation Corps (CCC). Mr. Perez developed a holistic program that 
integrates education and life skills with on-the-job work experience 
for low-income 18-23-year-olds. During his tenure at MCSC from 1991 to 
2000, more than 900 participants found jobs and received more than $4.5 
million in income. MCSC serves an average of 100 young participants per 
year and has served approximately 2,000 young adults since its 
inception.
  In 1996, Mr. Perez was one of six inspirational youth role models and 
mentors profiled on PBS', ``The Merrow Report: Searching for Heroes''. 
Mr. Perez serves on a number of prestigious committees and has received 
numerous awards including member of the Executive Committee of the 
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, past president of the 
National Association of Service and Conservation Corps, and has served 
as a consultant to the Peace Corps. In 2006, HACM received the 
prestigious World Leadership Award in London, England for developing 
solutions to housing that are innovative to city leaders around the 
world. Also, in 2007 Mr. Perez was recognized by the National Child 
Labor Committee with the Lewis Hine Award.
  At HACM, Mr. Perez oversees an internationally-recognized agency that 
provides affordable housing options for over 12,000 low-income 
families, elderly and disabled persons in the City of Milwaukee. During 
his tenure, the agency received or leveraged more than $265 million in 
development resources. Accomplishments while at HACM include the 
construction of the $28 million Milwaukee Job Corps Center in 
conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor. The facility opened in 
the fall 2010 and has resulted in the creation of over 125 
administrative, teaching, health care and service jobs. Additionally, 
during his tenure the City of Milwaukee obtained a five-year, $24 
million federal Enterprise Zone grant that helped thousands of youth 
gain training and employment.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud Antonio M. ``Tony'' Perez hails from the 4th 
Congressional District and that I can call him friend. I am honored to 
give praise to his many accomplishments and life time commitment to 
youth and the entire Milwaukee Community. I wish him many more years of 
success.

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