[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24686]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 TRIBUTE TO AQUINAS HOUSING CORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 24, 2000

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, it is with joy and pride that I pay tribute 
to Aquinas Housing Corporation (AHC) which will celebrate its 
Nineteenth Anniversary of providing services to the community on 
Wednesday, November 8, 2000, at the Marina Del Rey restaurant in the 
Bronx.
  Aquinas Housing Corporation was founded in 1981 by a group of 
volunteers who understood the need to provide quality transitional 
housing services to families in need.
  Mr. Speaker, over the past 19 years, Aquinas Housing Corporation has 
sponsored and developed the rehabilitation of 35 buildings, 990 
residential units, 104 cooperatives and 115 two and three family homes. 
By the year 2000, AHC plans to renovate 10 more buildings with 160 
additional units for a total of 1,152 decent and affordable rental 
housing units that were non existent prior to AHC's creation.
  Along with housing development, AHC provides a full range of social 
services to the residents of its buildings and community at large. 
Services offered include an adult job readiness program, a computer 
learning center, a clothing bank, case management, tenant organizing, 
neighborhood improvement projects, classes in English as a Second 
Language, parenting skills, senior services, a home based child care 
resource and referral center, a tree maintenance program, and 
activities and field trips for youth and seniors.
  It is a privilege for me to represent the 16th district of New York 
where Aquinas Housing Corporation is located, and I am delighted by its 
success. I have witnessed first-hand the exemplary work they are doing 
for our community and I am deeply impressed. I applaud the commitment 
and the efforts of Aquinas Housing Corporation's staff in the 
assistance they provide to the elderly, and low- and moderate-income 
families, as well as, in facilitating educational opportunities for our 
talented youth.
  I would like to especially compliment this year's honorees, Monadnock 
Construction which has been with Aquinas Housing since 1992, Ana Maria 
Chamorro, a long time resident of Community Board Six, and John 
DelValle Senior Vice President of retail banking at Banco Popular, for 
their leadership in improving the quality of life in our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Aquinas Housing Corporation and its staff and in wishing them continued 
success.

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