[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF CONCERNED MEN COOK

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Concerned Men Cook on 
their 25th Anniversary. Since its founding by former Merced County 
Assistant Superintendent Denard Davis, Concerned Men Cook has provided 
an opportunity for members of the community to break bread while 
raising money for scholarship funds for local schools in Merced.
  As an educator deeply involved in multiple community organizations, 
Mr. Davis started Concerned Men Cook after participating in the Men's 
Cook competition in Los Angeles. Using his connections from the 
multiple organizations he was involved with, Mr. Davis brought together 
educators, businesses, and community organizations to host a 
competition to fundraise money for scholarships for Merced County 
students.
  Mr. Davis was also a founding member of the Black Businessmen and 
Black Educators of Merced County and president of an African-American 
investment group that provided affordable housing to the residents of 
South Merced. Though he passed away in 2015, the Concerned Men Cook 
competition is one of many ways his legacy continues to positively 
impact Merced County.
  Since its founding 25 years ago, Concerned Men Cook has expanded to 
consist of five avenues in the competition, all of which are aligned 
with local men from throughout the community. It is now held on every 
fourth Sunday of April at the Merced Civic Center and continues to be a 
successful fundraiser for local scholarship funds.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Concerned 
Men Cook. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor them as they 
celebrate their 25th year. I wish them the best as they continue to 
bring together members of the community to raise money for our 
students.

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