[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21163]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    RECOGNIZING THE ``SUITING UP FOR SUCCESS'' PROJECT FOR STUDENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Suiting Up 
for Success project, which is a professional attire drive that benefits 
successful Fresno City College welfare-to-work students. The kick-off 
event will be on September 21, 1999.
  In 1998, management consultant and human resource specialist, Sue 
McCombs of McCombs & Associates created ``Suiting Up for Success'', in 
response to the Central San Joaquin Valley communities double digit 
unemployment rates. ``Suiting Up for Success'' is a professional attire 
drive that benefits successful Fresno City College welfare-to-work 
students that has approximately 1,000 students enrolled. Last year, 
3,000 suits were collected. The 1999 goal is to collect 5,000 suits. 
All Fresno area business professionals are challenged to donate 
unwanted men's and women's suits, blouses, skirts, men's shirts, slacks 
and ties. Business attire collected is made available through a 
``professional closet'' operated and maintained by Welfare-to-Work 
Students. The only beneficiaries of the ``Suiting Up for Success'' 
campaign are successful Fresno City College Welfare Reform students 
(graduates).
  The project goals are to increase awareness of the welfare reform 
initiative and it's impact on business owners. To provide our employees 
the opportunity to support and participate in the local welfare reform 
initiative. And to support and encourage current Fresno City College 
welfare program participants.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to recognize the ``Suiting Up for 
Success'' project, as they reach out to students who are less fortunate 
to have professional attire. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing 
``Suiting Up for Success'' many more years of continued success.

                          ____________________