[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 147 (Wednesday, October 7, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE SERVICE OF THE FRESNO EOC

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 7, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of the 
Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission as they celebrate 50 
years of dedicated service to Fresno County. Fresno EOC has spent five 
decades investing in people and assisting them in becoming self-
sufficient. Further this agency administers numerous human services and 
economic development programs. These programs include pre-school 
education, vocational training, juvenile and drug abuse counseling, 
treatment for serious juvenile offenders, youth recreation, and senior 
citizen hot meal services to name a few.
  As one of the largest and most effective poverty fighting 
organizations in the country, Fresno EOC has touched the lives of more 
than 145,000 residents of Fresno County. Through programs that make 
real measurable differences, Fresno EOC continues to give families the 
immediate help they need and the long-term support that allows them to 
build better lives.
  When Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the goal 
was to obtain equality of opportunity in education, employment, health 
and living conditions for every American in our Country and Fresno EOC 
has done an exemplary job of accomplishing these goals. Over the past 5 
decades, Fresno EOC has made countless contributions to our city and 
the entire San Joaquin Valley. From programs ranging from Head Start, 
to the Local Conservation Corps, and Fresno CDFI, Fresno EOC has done 
so much to make our community a better place.
  The results of these programs have allowed local organizations like 
Fresno EOC to leverage nearly $2.20 in private capital from every 
dollar that the federal government invests in Community Service Block 
Grant (CSBG). 90 percent of CSBG funds go directly to local communities 
to provide critical services such as child care, job training, housing, 
and financial education that improve self-sufficiency.
  Fresno EOC employs over 1,300 full and part time staff members 
committed to transforming lives. With over 30 programs to serve the 
community, they bridge the gaps with almost every aspect of the 
underserved population. There are more than 1,100 Community Action 
Agencies across the nation offering services every year in 99 percent 
of U.S. counties. These agencies serve 16 million low-income 
individuals, primarily members of working families and seniors, and in 
Fresno we are lucky to have one of the largest Community Action 
Agencies in the nation.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues in 
the House of Representatives to join me as we celebrate Fresno EOC's 
50th year of improving economic opportunities and empowering 
individuals in the San Joaquin Valley. This agency is making a 
difference and creating better opportunities for our future 
generations.

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