[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 2, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALAMEDA CONTRA COSTA LINKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2021

  Ms. LEE of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Alameda Contra Costa Chapter of the Links (ACCL) for their 36 years of 
service throughout California's 13th Congressional District and the 
country.
  Based in Oakland, California, the Alameda Contra Costa Chapter of the 
Links supports local service agencies serving primarily low-income, 
inner-city youth and their families in Contra Costa and Alameda 
counties through volunteer and fundraising efforts.
  The Links, Incorporated was originally founded in 1946 and national 
membership now consists of more than 15,000 professional women of 
color. These women are committed to serving as ``volunteers to 
enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of 
African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.''
  The Alameda Contra Costa Chapter of the Links was founded in 1985. 
Its members and leaders have worked since its founding to help East 
Oakland and the youth who live there through community service 
programs.
  In 1996 ACCL established the Community Service Program called 
``Respect Yourself.'' This program's aims are to ``Respect Your Health, 
Respect Your Knowledge, Respect Your Family and Community, and Respect 
Your Creativity and Intuitiveness.'' Through an oral health initiative 
targeting children, a cardiovascular health initiative with the 
American Heart Association targeting African American women, 
educational activities for young children focused on STEAM, financial 
literacy, English literacy, international affairs, anti-bullying, 
environmental stewardship, and the arts, the ``Respect Yourself'' 
program has bettered the health and education of many in our community. 
Over the years, ACCL has been able to serve over 2,800 young Oakland 
students.
  On February 26th, 2021, ACCL will hold its 25th annual Respect 
Yourself Youth Symposium. The Symposium directly supports young 
students in Oakland and exposes the students to thought leaders and 
educational content in STEM and health studies.
  On behalf of California's 13th Congressional District, I want to 
extend my sincere congratulations on this important milestone of 25 
years of the Respect Yourself Youth Symposium and 36 years of service. 
I thank the Alameda Contra Costa Chapter of the Links for dedication to 
excellence and to our community. I wish them continued success in 
working to better the lives of the children and women of color of 
California's 13th Congressional District.

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