[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1497-E1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SILICON VALLEY COUNCIL OF 
                               NONPROFITS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2016

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today together with my colleagues, 
Congress members Anna Eshoo and Mike Honda to acknowledge the Silicon 
Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN). As is widely known, Santa

[[Page E1498]]

Clara County, particularly Silicon Valley, receives worldwide attention 
for its technological innovation, but Silicon Valley's innovative 
spirit is not limited to technology, it also extends to public/private 
partnerships and the nonprofit sector.
  The Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN) was founded in 1996 
to represent the local community interests of nonprofits in Santa Clara 
County. Its mission is to continue to foster and magnify the influence 
and contribution of nonprofit agencies and businesses in Santa Clara 
County.
  SVCN achieves this mission with a broadly diverse approach, which 
includes policy work and advocacy, community partnerships and 
alliances, and budget and leadership development. This approach is 
second to none, when compared to other common Organizational 
Development groups, namely because it participates in the public and 
private sectors to leverage the effectiveness and impact of nonprofits. 
SVCN has a network of 200 member agencies which serve as a vital 
catalyst for building and maintaining nonprofit leaders, partners and 
collaborators. Furthermore, it is an integral and unifying voice for 
health and human service agencies in Santa Clara County.
  SVCN focuses on building alliances and partnerships to increase the 
effectiveness of nonprofits. It increases the capacity of nonprofits 
through trainings, summits and skill building programs that make 
nonprofits more effective and it encourages nonprofit leaders to be 
better advocates for their system of care and serve as spokespersons at 
public forums; hearings, and developing meaningful relationships by 
participating with local elected and government officials at key 
decision making tables.
  When SVCN achieves its goals, it benefits the entire nonprofit sector 
and ultimately our community, particularly those individuals and 
families who are disenfranchised and find themselves struggling to meet 
even their most basic needs of housing, healthcare, food and education.
  Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits, for its 20 years of 
extraordinary leadership and advocacy in the nonprofit sector.

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