[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 94 (Friday, May 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE TELACU EDUCATION FOUNDATION ON THEIR 37TH ANNUAL 
                        BUILDING THE DREAM GALA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 28, 2021

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
TELACU Education Foundation (the Foundation), a non-profit organization 
that significantly impacts thousands of talented students from low-
income families, the majority of whom are Californians and many are 
from my 40th Congressional District.
  For nearly four decades, the Foundation has annually empowered 
approximately 2,000 first-generation high school, college, and graduate 
school students--including brave veterans of our nation's military--to 
achieve academic and professional success, and to become the leaders 
who inspire future generations. The 37th Annual Building the Dream Gala 
celebrates this year's graduates who will join an army of TELACU 
Scholar Alumni who are changing our world by innovating solutions as 
researchers and engineers in cutting-edge laboratories such as NASA/
JPL, CalTech, Harvard and MIT; serving on the frontlines of COVID-19 as 
nurses, doctors, vaccinators, and other health care professionals; and 
crusading for equality and justice across our nation--from the 
boardroom to the courtroom!
  TELACU's ``CREO'' Award, the ``I Believe'' Award, recognizes 
individuals who exemplify the highest ideals and commitment to 
improving society through personal and public service. This year it 
will be presented to the first Latina Los Angeles City Council 
President in the City Council's 170-year history, the Honorable Nury 
Martinez. President Martinez is an outstanding role model who embodies 
the hopes and dreams of all TELACU Scholars--the children of Latino 
immigrant families, the first (but not the last) in their family to 
graduate from college, the dreamers who consistently shatter historical 
barriers to achievement.
  This year's gala will also include a Special 80th Birthday Tribute to 
Chairman and Founder of the TELACU Education Foundation, Dr. David C. 
Lizarraga. With a dedicated career of service spanning six decades, Dr. 
Lizarraga's impact is immeasurable. Beginning as a social worker and 
community organizer, he quickly gained a reputation for equipping 
people with the tools they need to achieve self-sufficiency and the 
American Dream. As President and CEO of TELACU in the early 1960s, he 
developed a unique business model for community development based on 
one simple but profound principle--profitability is inseparable from 
positive, tangible social impact. Under his leadership for more than 35 
years, TELACU flourished and grew into the largest Community 
Development Corporation in America.
  In response to staggering college dropout rates among young Latinx, 
in 1983 Dr. Lizarraga created what is without a doubt his most 
impactful and legacy in service to our community and to our nation--the 
TELACU Education Foundation. TELACU Scholars have built a stellar 
legacy individually and collectively. Historically, over 98 percent of 
high school scholars graduate and almost without exception pursue 
higher education; more than 99 percent of college Scholars earn at 
minimum a Bachelor's, with an increasing number going on to attain 
advanced degrees. Their achievement of higher education, increased 
earning power and dedication to service lead to the socioeconomic 
empowerment not only of their local community, but also of our nation 
and beyond!
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in 
congratulating The Honorable Nury Martinez in recognition of her 
invaluable contributions to the City of Los Angeles. And on behalf of 
the tens of thousands of students, veterans, families and communities 
they have served, empowered, and advanced to achieve self-sufficiency, 
I also ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the TELACU Education 
Foundation and its Founder Dr. David C. Lizarraga--whose tireless work 
to expand educational opportunities has opened the door to vast new 
possibilities for thousands of young professionals and veterans.

                          ____________________