[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 75 (Friday, April 30, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DESSERAY ``DEZ'' VEGA AND ALUM ROCK COUNSELING CENTER ON 
      THE OCCASION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS

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                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 30, 2021

  Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to today to recognize Desseray 
``Dez'' Vega, a Program Manager at Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) 
in my Congressional district. I was proud to invite Ms. Vega to be my 
virtual guest to President Biden 's Joint Address to Congress on 
Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
  ARCC provides behavioral health and community support services for 
more than 10,000 children and families in Santa Clara County each year. 
Before the Joint Address, I spoke to Ms. Vega about the effect the 
COVID relief bills have had on ARCC, the counselors she manages, her 
clients, and her family. I was glad to hear that the Paycheck 
Protection Program (PPP) kept ARCC from laying off around 80 people, 
helping both the employees and their families as well as the children 
they serve.
  Ms. Vega works one-on-one with in-need children in San Jose and 
manages a team of 15 counselors as part of ARCC's Prevention and Early 
Intervention program. Ms. Vega said, ``I was able to see firsthand how 
the PPP really made a difference. Having income and stability helps us 
[counselors] be more present and helps our clients and their families. 
During the pandemic, there has been trauma for the families we serve, 
and everything has been inconsistent except for the therapy we provide. 
From my personal experience, I'm so grateful'' for COVID relief 
legislation.
  Madam Speaker, the truth is, it is us who should be grateful for Ms. 
Vega, counselors like her. and organizations like ARCC that serve our 
communities. It is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Vega and her positive 
contributions to the lives of children and families in my Congressional 
district before, during, and after the pandemic. I also call on all my 
colleagues to join me in continuing to meet the needs of communities 
across the country during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

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