[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATING AVANCE'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF EMPOWERING FAMILIES

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                           HON. LLOYD DOGGETT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2014

  Mr. DOGGETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor AVANCE, Inc. and to 
recognize its 40th anniversary of service to families and children in 
Texas. This outstanding organization was founded in 1973 to provide 
family support services and education to parents. AVANCE began in one 
room of the Mirasol Housing Project on the West Side of San Antonio 
with a handful of families and has grown into a national organization 
with sites across the country.
   Every day, AVANCE's staff works tirelessly to ``Unlock America's 
Potential'' by strengthening families in at-risk communities through 
effective parent education and support programs. This effort has 
changed the lives of thousands of Texas families, leading the way for 
stronger, healthier communities; a sharper workforce; and increased 
educational attainment.
   AVANCE has successfully capitalized on parents' inner strength and 
innate love for their children to help them become the best teachers 
and stewards of their children's growth and success. AVANCE works on 
the principle that parental education alone is sometimes not enough; an 
effective intervention must build parents' resilience, interpersonal 
connections, networks, and access to education, jobs and other 
opportunities. True parental engagement empowers parents to become 
advocates for their children and families.
   Studies have shown the effectiveness of AVANCE's two-generation 
approach. In an external study designed to assess whether participation 
led to changes in education and socio-economic status, results showed 
that the AVANCE program has positive effects on families long after 
they graduate--especially for the most disadvantaged families. Parents 
had dramatic increases in educational attainment, better jobs and home 
ownership.
   Congratulations to AVANCE President and CEO Richard J. Noriega and 
the AVANCE Board of Directors. Today, AVANCE has active sites in the 
Texas cities of San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, El 
Paso, Waco, Del Rio, San Juan and in the Rio Grande Valley as well as 
in several other states.
   Mr. Speaker, I join with our community in expressing congratulations 
and deep gratitude to AVANCE for its more than four decades of 
exemplary service and dedication to the families of Texas. We wish you 
many more years of success toward fulfilling your mission of Unlocking 
America's potential.

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