[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 52 (Tuesday, March 26, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E355-E356]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE TELACU EDUCATION FOUNDATION ON THEIR 36TH ANNUAL 
                        BUILDING THE DREAM GALA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE AGUILAR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 26, 2019

  Mr. AGUILAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the TELACU 
Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that has empowered 
talented Latino students and professionals in my district and 
throughout the country to achieve success for more than 36 years.
   TELACU is one of the largest and oldest Community Development 
Corporation in the U.S., celebrating 50 years of service just last 
year. As part of its commitment to service, advancement, empowerment 
and self-sufficiency among its constituency, and in response to crisis-
level dropout rates for Latino students, in 1983 TELACU created the 
TELACU Education Foundation.

[[Page E356]]

   This year marks the Foundation's 36th anniversary of shattering 
barriers to academic and professional success for thousands of first-
generation Latinos from underserved communities. In addition to 
providing critical educational services and resources for veterans, 
TELACU's Continuum of Education--comprised of the College Readiness and 
College Success Programs--annually propels approximately 2,000 TELACU 
Scholars from high school through graduate studies, equipping them with 
the academic credentials and professional tools needed to successfully 
enter the increasingly technical 21st Century workforce.
   Historically, approximately 98 percent of high school TELACU 
Scholars graduate and nearly all pursue higher education; more than 99 
percent of college Scholars earn a Bachelor's degree, with an 
increasing number going on to seek advanced degrees. Since TELACU 
Scholars are predominantly Latinos from some of the most economically-
depressed communities in Southern California, their attainment of high 
school diplomas and college degrees directly benefits disenfranchised 
communities. Program graduates become self-sufficient, well-educated 
professionals and role models who inspire and invest in the next 
generation of Latino leaders. Their attainment of higher education, 
increased earning power and dedication to service leads to the 
socioeconomic empowerment of their local communities, and betters our 
country as a whole.
   Madam Speaker, in recognition of the thousands of students, families 
and communities they have served and empowered, I ask my colleagues to 
please join me in congratulating the TELACU Education Foundation on the 
occasion of its 36th Annual Building the Dream Gala, and in celebrating 
their inspiring TELACU Scholars.