[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 172 (Friday, October 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1432-E1433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST 5 MADERA COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 19, 2018

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 20th 
anniversary of First 5 Madera County. Since its creation in 1998, First 
5 Madera County has embarked on a mission to promote an integrated 
system of care with the purpose of ensuring that every child has a safe 
and nurturing environment to grow. It is both fitting and appropriate 
that we honor the work of First 5 Madera County and celebrate their 
many accomplishments throughout the past 20 years.
  Since its inception, the goal of First 5 Madera County has been to 
provide services to children and families in the Central Valley.

[[Page E1433]]

Among the many services they provide include early childhood education, 
public policy advocacy, and community outreach.
  First 5 Madera County has been a committed partner to many community 
groups, working toward prevention and early intervention systems that 
promote optimal health and development for infants and toddlers. 
Partnerships such as First 5 and Madera County Workforce have been 
essential in supporting families with young children to ensure access 
to professional opportunities that will help them further develop their 
social emotional learning and family support.
  In twenty years, First 5 has increased public participation and 
efforts to bring awareness to issues affecting families and their 
children. They have focused on the elimination of persistent 
disparities in the community. Dedicated staff and volunteers have also 
created educational workshops for underserved families to help them 
have the tools necessary for success.
  In recent years, First 5 Madera County has continued to demonstrate 
its independent leadership while recognizing the value of establishing 
meaningful partnerships. They have succeeded in educating the public on 
the importance of child advocacy, further developing research issues 
affecting infants and toddlers and promoted health and education for 
young children.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring First 5 Madera County on the occasion of their 20th 
anniversary. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to work 
together to further First 5 Madera County's mission. Once again, 
congratulations on this special milestone.

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