[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24728]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE WOMEN OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF FRESNO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to all of the 
women of the Junior League of Fresno, California on this occasion of 
their 50th anniversary aptly recognized as, ``Women Building Better 
Communities.''
  In 1948, the Service League of Fresno was formed and within the 
course of eleven years, it was accepted into the Association of Junior 
Leagues International, Inc. Each year since their inception, 20,000 
hours of voluntary service time has been generously provided by the 
women of the Junior League of Fresno. As a result of their years of 
commitment, over one million hours of service has been given to the 
community of Fresno by members of the Junior League. Since 1959, it has 
raised more than $3,000,000 toward community projects in the areas of 
children, health, social services, education, women's issues and 
cultural arts.
  Meeting the needs of their community has been and continues to be the 
Junior League's highest priority. Members research, develop, manage and 
support projects in conjunction with community partners, concentrating 
on areas where resources are nominal and where they can have the most 
meaningful impact.
  Throughout the years, projects and organizations the Junior League 
has championed include: Break the Barriers, The Central California 
Blood Mobile, Children's Hospital Central California; The Craycroft 
Youth Shelter; The Discovery Center; Exceptional Parents Unlimited; 
Firefighters Creating Memories; Footsteps Child Bereavement Program; 
The Fresno Art Museum; the Fresno County Shot Mobile Immunization 
Clinic; the Fresno Metropolitan Museum; The Marjaree Mason Center; The 
Ronald McDonald House; The Sanctuary Youth Center; and Senior Girl 
Athlete Awards Banquet.
  The Junior League believes, as do I, that volunteers make a powerful 
difference in the community. Their service, advocacy, leadership roles 
and mentoring have touched countless lives throughout our community. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this wonderful group of 
women as the Junior League of Fresno celebrate their 50th Anniversary 
of ``Women Building Better Communities.''

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