[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 5, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E593]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                          RECOGNIZING PROYOUTH

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                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2024

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the ProYouth 
organization on their 30-year anniversary and to thank them for their 
significant contributions to the Central Valley. In 1991, a dedicated 
group of volunteers from Visalia came together to establish Visalians 
for a Gang Free Community, aiming to address the challenges faced by 
children affected by gang violence in the Tulare community. Three years 
later, the organization attained non-profit status and became known as 
ProYouth. In 1998, ProYouth established their inaugural program, 
HEART--Health, Enrichment, Academics--to increase access to after 
school opportunities for students. For more than 30 years, ProYouth has 
remained committed to its mission to protect all children from gang 
violence through after school programs and other essential initiatives. 
Today, ProYouth serves nearly 20,000 students annually across 60 
schools in the Central Valley. In addition to their educational grant- 
and contract-based programs, ProYouth's dedicated staff and volunteers 
also provide meals to students. Just this year alone, ProYouth is 
expected to serve one million meals to its program's attendees. Through 
their wide range of programs and initiatives, ProYouth develops 
students' academic, social, and emotional skills, equipping them with 
the foundation they need to succeed in their futures. During the COVID-
19 pandemic, ProYouth was essential in helping Central Valley families 
who were impacted by school closures and the transition to remote-
learning. ProYouth established a program to provide support and an in-
person learning environment for affected students. For more than three 
decades, ProYouth has helped not only support our Central Valley 
students, but they have given them the tools to succeed in life. Their 
work to enrich the lives of these students will be felt for generations 
to come. Mr Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in celebrating ProYouth on their 30-year 
anniversary.

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