[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E496-E497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY 
    UNION (TELACU) AND THE 35TH ANNUAL TELACU EDUCATION FOUNDATION 
                      ``BUILDING THE DREAM'' GALA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2018

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The East 
Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU), the nation's largest and oldest 
Community Development Corporation, on its 50th anniversary of making 
immeasurable contributions to traditionally disenfranchised 
communities, and the TELACU Education Foundation on its 35th annual 
``Building the Dream'' Gala.
  TELACU, which is based in my 40th Congressional District, was 
established as a pioneering institution in 1968, and was initially 
funded through federal legislation authored by Senators Robert F. 
Kennedy and Jacob K. Javits to revitalize urban and underserved 
communities throughout the United States. Over the years, TELACU has 
built many community assets, including industrial parks, schools, 
shopping centers, and municipal facilities. It has created well-paying 
jobs for local residents, developed quality and affordable homes for 
first-time homeowners, constructed beautiful residential complexes for 
families and senior citizens, and established responsive financial 
institutions to create access to capital for small business owners and 
hardworking families.
  In 1983, TELACU created the TELACU Education Foundation in response 
to crisis-level dropout rates for Latino students in college. When the 
foundation began, it served just fifteen first-generation college 
students. This year, as the Foundation marks its 35th anniversary, it 
has built a proud legacy of helping thousands of first-generation 
Latinos

[[Page E497]]

from underserved communities shatter barriers to academic and 
professional success.
  Each year, TELACU's Continuum of Education--comprised of the College 
Readiness and College Success Programs--helps more than 2,000 TELACU 
Scholars as they pursue their high school, college, and graduate 
studies. These programs offer scholars critical financial resources and 
a comprehensive support system to help them achieve their educational 
and career goals.
  Historically, approximately 98 percent of high school TELACU Scholars 
graduate, and almost all of them pursue higher education. More than 99 
percent of college TELACU Scholars earn at least a Bachelor's degree, 
with an increasing number going on to seek advanced degrees.
  TELACU Scholars are predominantly Latinos from some of the most 
economically depressed communities in Los Angeles. Our communities, our 
state, and our nation are all strengthened when these scholars earn 
high school diplomas and college degrees. With TELACU's help, these 
graduates become independent, well-educated professionals and role 
models who inspire, empower, and invest in the next generation of 
Latino leaders.
  Today, the TELACU Scholar Alumni network stretches all over the 
world. They are researchers and engineers, entrepreneurs and CEOs, 
educators and policy-makers. They are leaders who help to maintain the 
United States' promise as a place where immigrants can use their own 
talents to pursue their dreams.
  Mr. Speaker, in recognition of the thousands of students, families, 
and communities that have been helped by TELACU, I urge my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating TELACU on its 50th anniversary and the 
TELACU Education Foundation on its 35th anniversary. Let us also 
celebrate the remarkable TELACU Scholars honored at the foundation's 
annual ``Building the Dream'' Gala. I wish TELACU and the TELACU 
Education Foundation the very best as it continues its mission of 
helping underserved communities pursue socioeconomic equity with the 
help of educational opportunities, community development, and economic 
empowerment.

                          ____________________