[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 14321]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF DAVID LIZARRAGA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Roybal-Allard) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise on the 35th anniversary of the 
East Los Angeles Community Union to recognize its president and CEO, 
David Lizarraga, and to commend TELACU on the 20th anniversary of its 
scholarship program.
  TELACU is a nonprofit community development corporation dedicated to 
rebuilding the East Los Angeles community. Despite complex challenges, 
TELACU's approach is simple: to provide people with the tools for self-
empowerment and self-sufficiency and to create opportunities to use 
those tools to improve their lives.
  Under the leadership of Mr. Lizarraga, TELACU has become the largest, 
most successful Hispanic community and economic corporation in the 
Nation. With nearly $400 million in assets, TELACU has created 
thousands of jobs, brought affordable hopes to untold numbers of 
families, leveraged millions of dollars in small business loans, and, 
most importantly, provided numerous educational opportunities for young 
people and veterans, not only in my congressional district, but 
throughout the United States.
  As a prominent national Latino leader, Mr. Lizarraga is a leading 
voice in the revitalization of inner-city communities and a beacon of 
hope for young people searching for a path to a brighter future.
  Mr. Lizarraga is an example of the American spirit through which 
dedicated, hardworking, and enterprising individuals do not just get 
ahead, but, in striving for a better life for themselves, they empower 
others to realize the American dream.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to acknowledge TELACU and Mr. 
Lizarraga for their dedication to creating jobs and opportunities in 
our communities, and to wish them continued success for many years to 
come.

                          ____________________