[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6244]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




IN HONOR OF THE THIRTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE OLD BROOKLYN COMMUNITY 
                        DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and recognition of 
the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC), whose 
leaders, staff and members have uplifted, restored and energized all 
aspects of Cleveland's Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods 
for thirty-one years.
  The OBCDC, a non-profit community organization, was formed in 1975 by 
a small group of concerned citizens and business owners who set out to 
protect their neighborhood from falling into decline. The initial 
vision and effort, one that spans 31 years, was a united one, bringing 
together civic, religious, government and neighborhood and private 
business leaders to the table to begin the work of uplifting a 
neighborhood.
  Beyond historic preservation, neighborhood revitalization and housing 
and commercial redevelopment programs and projects, the OBCDC has 
initiated numerous programs and services for residents and business 
owners, including the Old Brooklyn News. This award-winning monthly 
newspaper was established by the OBCDC in 1978 and still exists as a 
vital instrument of communication throughout the neighborhood. Another 
significant agency that sprung from the early work of the OBCDC 
includes Senior Citizen Resources, Inc. (SCR), a senior support 
organization that evolved from senior services provided by the OBCDC. 
The treasure of the neighborhood, the Benjamin Franklin Community 
Gardens, managed by the OBCDC, has attracted gardeners from all over 
the county for the past 26 growing seasons.
  Mr. Speaker and Colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition 
of the members, staff and leaders, past and present, of the Old 
Brooklyn Community Development Corporation. Their collective 
dedication, vision, volunteerism and work on behalf of all residents 
has served to preserve the historic integrity of the neighborhood, 
promote new commercial growth and maintain a healthy living environment 
for residents, young and old, throughout Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn 
Centre, thereby strengthening the foundation of our entire Cleveland 
community.

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