[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 448]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



     CELEBRATING THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LATINO LEARNING CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GENE GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2000

  Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 20th 
anniversary of the Latino Learning Center and to express my 
appreciation to everyone associated with this wonderful organization. 
The Latino Learning Center was founded in November 1979 to provide 
employment and educational needs in our community and is governed by a 
15-member board of directors comprising of community, civic and 
corporate leaders. This mission of the Latino Learning Center is to see 
that all low-income people in Houston, specifically the residents of 
near East End and near North Side communities, have the opportunity for 
education and human support services.
  Since its inception, the Latino Learning Center has dutifully 
provided these services and has positively impacted the lives of our 
citizens. The Latino Learning Center's success is widely known and has 
resulted in more than 6,000 individuals graduating from its training 
programs.
  The Latino Learning Center has a very interesting history. It was 
established as a Texas nonprofit organization. It received a donation 
of land and buildings in 1981-82 from the Magnolia Business Center, 
Inc. Since the buildings were previously used as warehouses, 
significant renovation was necessary in order to upgrade the facility. 
The Latino Learning Center's founders embarked upon an aggressive 
fundraising campaign to secure the initial $150,000 necessary for the 
renovation process.
  As the result of the boards diligence, sufficient charitable gifts 
from the private sector were obtained to structurally transform the 
building and acquire adjacent parking space. Due to generous 
philanthropic participation of many Houstonians, private sector support 
and some public sector funds, the Latino Learning Center became an 
established reality. In July 1984, an open house ceremony was held and 
classes and community services began within the year.
  Over the past 20 years, the Latino Learning Center has established 
strong ties with the community by serving as a Multipurpose center. The 
Latino Learning Center is utilized by many civic organizations 
including LULAC, the American GI Forum, the Mexican-American Sheriff's 
Organization, the Union of Hispanic METRO employees, the Hispanic 
Organization of Postal Employees--HOPE, and many others. It is also 
used to conduct meetings, plan events of benefit for the community, 
conduct community/media press conferences, and perform special events 
such as dispensing food baskets for the poor during the holiday season.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to congratulate the Latino Learning Center on 
its 20th anniversary, and I hope they remain in our community for many 
years to come. I also ask that my colleagues in the House join me in 
expressing our appreciation for the services and the commitment of 
everyone associated with this wonderful center.

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