[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E402-E403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CELEBRATING THE MEXICAN AMERICAN OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION'S 50TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Mexican American Opportunity Foundation on celebrating their 50th 
anniversary. For 50 years MAOF has worked to improve the quality of 
life for millions of Latinos in the Los Angeles area. From education 
and daycare services for children, to job training and English-language 
classes for adults, to medical and social services to seniors, MAOF has 
provided poor or disenfranchised Latinos with opportunities for social 
and economic advancement.
  In 1963, a little known community and labor leader named Dionicio 
Morales had the idea to create a foundation dedicated to Mexican-
American community development. He started at the top, with a call to 
President John F. Kennedy. Morales did not get to speak to the 
President, but through his perseverance, he was able to speak with Vice 
President Lyndon B. Johnson. Together they secured the funding for what 
would become the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation.
  Today MAOF is the largest Latino human services provider in the 
nation and the Los Angeles Times has credited Morales with being one of 
the original leaders of the East Los Angeles Latino civil rights 
movement, along with United Farm Workers leader Cesar Chavez, 
journalist Ruben Salazar, and my father, Congressman Edward R. Roybal.
  Although Dionicio Morales passed away in 2008, his legacy lives on 
within the work of MAOF which provides essential services to over 
100,000 people, 8,000 of whom are children.
  Once again I congratulate MAOF President and CEO Martin Castro, 
members of the board of directors, and all MAOF employees. I thank them 
for 50 years of dedicated service to the Latino community, and I wish 
them well as they continue their great work in the years to come.

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