[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18998]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRIBUTE TO GILBERT DE LA O

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                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2000

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the work of an 
outstanding citizen of Minnesota's Fourth District, Gilbert de la O. 
Mr. de la O is being honored on September 22 for his contributions to 
our community, as the recipient of the first National Alumnus of the 
Year Award from the United Neighborhood Center of America (UNCA).
  UNCA is a voluntary, nonprofit, national organization with 
neighborhood--based member agencies throughout the United States. The 
program works in partnership with neighborhood centers to find 
solutions to social problems that prevent productive community life.
  Mr. de la O, once considered a juvenile delinquent, credits his turn-
around in part to the caring workers at the West Side Neighborhood 
House community center. For the past 30 years he has remained involved 
with this organization by working in the child care center and taking 
part in activities geared toward young people in the community--young 
people Mr. de la O can relate to, having once walked in their shoes.
  Beyond his work at the center, Mr. de la O is active in many other 
capacities in our community. Whether it's teaching diversity training 
to the Saint Paul Police Department, serving on the Saint Paul School 
Board, or working with groups such as the Ordway Center for the 
Performing Arts or the Saint Paul Public Library, he always seems to 
have the best interest of the community at heart.
  Gilbert de la O is truly an example of what can be accomplished when 
we look beyond ourselves and strive to benefit others. So many in Saint 
Paul have been touched by his work and I am pleased that he is being 
recognized with such a prestigious national honor. I thank him for his 
dedication and wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavors.

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