[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 621]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            A TRIBUTE TO THE GREATER SACRAMENTO URBAN LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2009

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Greater 
Sacramento Urban League's 40 years of service to the people of 
Sacramento. The Greater Sacramento Urban League's employment assistance 
and educational programs have been extremely beneficial to our youth 
and our community as a whole. I ask all of my colleagues to join me in 
honoring one of Sacramento's finest non-profit organizations as they 
celebrate their 40th anniversary.
  Founded in 1968 the Greater Sacramento Urban League is one of the 105 
affiliates of the National Urban League which has locations in 36 
States across our Nation. During this time the Greater Sacramento Urban 
League has continued to advocate to ensure that African-Americans, 
other minorities and the underserved become economically self-reliant 
and are ensured their civil rights. By cultivating relationships with 
communities, corporations and government agencies the Greater 
Sacramento Urban League has been able to provide training to thousands 
of youth and adults in Sacramento County.
  The Greater Sacramento Urban League has been able to assist numerous 
Sacramentans find employment through their One Stop Career Center which 
provides application and resume assistance, as well as access to online 
resources to find employment. They also offer other employment 
assistance services, such as posting job openings, developing interview 
skills, and effective cover letter and dress-for-success tips. In 
addition to employment assistance, the Greater Sacramento Urban League 
offers emergency assistance to low income Sacramento residents that 
need help paying the power, rent, or phone bills. They also offer free 
bus service to and from appointments and G.E.D. preparation classes. In 
recent months they have been helping families avert foreclosure by 
hosting foreclosure prevention workshops. In short, the Greater 
Sacramento Urban League is always there for those who need them.
  The Greater Sacramento Urban League offers may programs that benefit 
Sacramento's youth as well. They offer after school tutoring to assist 
students with their homework and improve their math and reading skills. 
Their Sacramento Urban Youth Empowerment Program provides at-risk 
youths with tutoring, mentoring, job readiness training, youth 
employment placement, and basic computer skills to better prepare them 
for higher education and employment opportunities. For all of their 
efforts, the Greater Sacramento Urban League was awarded the national 
2005 EPIC Award for Exemplary Public Interest Contribution by the 
United States Department of Commerce. The Greater Sacramento Urban 
League has prospered for the last 16 years under the excellent 
leadership of James Shelby who was instrumental in raising the funds 
needed to build its current home. With the leadership of Mr. Shelby and 
chairwoman Susan Irwin, I am confident the Greater Sacramento Urban 
League will continue to provide invaluable programs for our community.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to the Greater Sacramento 
Urban League's distinguished commitment to our community and 
Sacramento's residents. The Greater Sacramento Urban League's 
dedication to equality, civil rights and workforce development has 
helped thousands of Sacramentans when they most needed it. We all are 
thankful for their efforts. As the Greater Sacramento Urban League's 
employees and partners gather to celebrate 40 years of service to the 
Sacramento region, I ask all my colleagues to join me in wishing them 
continued success in the future.

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