[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27736]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 CELEBRATING THE SUCCESSES OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREAS FOUNDATION AND THE 
                       METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 1, 1999

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my 
congratulations to the Industrial Areas Foundation Southwest Network 
and especially to one of their member organizations from Houston, The 
Metropolitan Organization, for their twenty-five years of service to 
the disadvantaged and underprivileged communities in the Southwestern 
United States. During their November meeting in San Antonio, the 
Industrial Areas Foundation will begin planning a ``Domestic Policy 
Summit'' to be scheduled in the Spring of 2000. We wish them success 
and look forward to their continued involvement in the issues important 
to our cities.
  For 25 years, grassroots organizations in communities across seven 
states have been working with the IAF Southwest Network to make a 
difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The list of 
accomplishments is a lengthy one, and touches on many aspects of 
everyday life. In my home state of Texas, IAF Southwest Network has 
been involved in convincing municipalities to raise the minimum wage to 
a living wage; in improving the conditions in the communities along the 
Texas-Mexican border, the so-called ``colonias,'' many of which were 
without power, water or sewer services; fighting to bring health care 
coverage to the working poor; convincing the Texas Legislature to match 
federal dollars the Children's Health Insurance Program, ensuring that 
children in families up to 200% of the poverty line would have access 
to health care; securing millions of dollars in funding for after-
school enrichment programs that keep children learning in safety 
instead of roaming the streets; providing job training for workers that 
lead to good jobs at good wages; and assisting eligible immigrants in 
acquiring English skills as well as assistance in preparing their 
application to become citizens.
  The Metropolitan Organization in Houston has been at the forefront of 
these efforts. They have participated in voter registration drives that 
helped register record numbers of new voters. They have also worked 
tirelessly to obtain funds for street improvements, parks and 
recreational centers, and libraries in low-income neighborhoods. 
Moreover, they have provided aid for those seeking to become 
homeowners, encouraging people to put down roots and contribute to the 
revitalization of their communities.
  Mr. Speaker, it is organizations like The Metropolitan Organization 
and the Industrial Areas Foundation Southwest Network that make our 
nation great. I commend them for their twenty-five years of hard work, 
and wish them success in their continuing effort to make democracy work 
for all citizens of our Nation.

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