[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16104]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE BETHLEHEM CENTERS OF NASHVILLE AS ONE OF THE TOP RATED 
                   CHILD CARE CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY

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                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2006

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to recognize Bethlehem Centers 
of Nashville and express my heartfelt congratulations on their fourth 
year to receive a three-star rating from Tennessee Department of Human 
Services for their child care services.
  Founded in 1894 as the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers, today 
the Bethlehem Centers of Nashville serve thousands of children, young 
adults, adult women and senior citizens in the North Nashville and 
downtown neighborhoods. Bethlehem Centers provide a variety of services 
designed to support individuals regardless of their economic 
background.
  With the goal of helping individuals toward becoming strong, 
independent and contributing members of their family and community, 
Bethlehem Centers provide Nashvillians with life skills training, 
tutoring, nutrition counseling, senior outreach programs, business and 
career training, GED preparation, mentoring, and even daily hot 
lunches.
  In addition to these community programs, Bethlehem Centers have 
earned a three-star rating for their high quality child care services 
from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. This is their fourth 
year to receive the highest rating awarded by the State and to be 
placed among the top rated child care centers in the Nation.
  I am proud to send my heartiest congratulations to Bethlehem Centers' 
Joyce Searcy and all the dedicated staff members who have committed 
themselves to bettering Nashville's communities.
  I join with everyone in Tennessee's Fifth District in applauding the 
Bethlehem Centers of Nashville for all that they do for the community 
and I commend everyone at Bethlehem Centers of Nashville who make it a 
special place to learn, play and grow.

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