[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28874]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN HONOR OF THE PUERTO RICAN ASSOCIATION FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, INC., 
                ON ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY GALA CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBERT MENENDEZ

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 4, 1999

  Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Puerto Rican 
Association for Human Development, Inc., for 25 years of hard work and 
dedication to the residents of Middlesex County, the State of New 
Jersey, and the Hispanic community.
  For years, PRAHD has been committed to improving the standard for 
living of Hispanic families through the administration of programs and 
services which address the social, economic, health, and educational 
status of these communities.
  Founded in 1974 as a charitable organization by the Hispanic 
leadership of the Perth Amboy area, the Puerto Rican Association for 
Human Development operates a number of service programs. From day care, 
educational tutoring, and youth and family counseling, to emergency 
legal, housing, and medical assistance, drug prevention, and various 
senior services, the PRAHD serve more than 12,000 people annually. The 
agency creates alliances with other organizations to help revitalize 
communities by assisting people link needs with resources.
  Since its inception, PRAHD has expanded to a comprehensive service 
agency with a budget of more than 1.6 million dollars through funding 
from federal, state, county, and city governments; the United Way of 
New Jersey; the United Way of Tri-County/IBM; the Turrell Fund; local 
corporations; and individual donors.
  The agency is governed by an eleven-member board of directors 
selected from the community, and is administered by Executive Director 
Lydia Trinidad, who is also PRAHD's Chief Executive Officer. PRAHD also 
relies on the support and effort of community volunteers who work in 
all areas of agency operations.
  For its unwavering commitment to the residents of New Jersey and its 
continued efforts on behalf of Hispanics, I ask that my colleagues join 
me in recognizing the outstanding work of the Puerto Rican Association 
for Human Development on its 25th Anniversary.

                          ____________________