[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23476]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNITION OF CITY YEAR NEW YORK ON OPENING DAY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Madam Speaker, I rise in honor of City Year and 
especially City Year New York to celebrate the Opening Day of the '09-
'10 City Year class. Tomorrow is Opening Day for all 19 City Year 
sites, deploying 1,500 corps members in service to our country's high-
need schools, including those in my district.
  The '09-'10 City Year New York class has more than 230 young leaders 
representing 38 out of the 50 states, bringing a diverse group of 
service-oriented individuals to help New York's children succeed. Being 
from the great state of New York, I am proud that City Year New York 
runs the largest City Year program in the country.
  I admire City Year for its continued service and dedication to our 
New York communities. Its goals to help students and schools succeed, 
build stronger communities, break down social barriers, develop young 
leaders, and foster active citizenship are what lead to make our 
nation's youth better equipped for tomorrow's challenges. City Year New 
York does these things and more at several schools in my community of 
Harlem, including Vito Marcantonio, James Weldon Johnson, Luis Munoz 
Rivera, and Jose Celso Barbosa elementary schools, and Jackie Robinson 
and John S. Roberts middle schools.
  Education is the most critical factor for determining the future 
well-being of our children. President Obama, City Year, and our 
partners recognize that we cannot afford to fail in this area because 
our economy and, more importantly, a united democracy depend on it. 
City Year recognizes this success requires a whole community effort and 
serves our students with a team comprised of government officials, 
school staffs, corporate partners, and youth leaders.
  Harlem was able to provide space for corps training at The Minisink 
Town House of the New York Mission Society. I am pleased that community 
partnerships like these, and the support of corporate partnerships, 
will ensure that City Year New York is able to continue its efforts and 
succeed in Harlem.
  Let's continue to applaud and support City Year, especially City Year 
New York, and all service organizations as they continue building 
better communities. I call upon my fellow Members of Congress to join 
me in celebrating the Opening Day for these 1,500 corps members as they 
embark on their missions of service.

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