[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16213-16214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE SONOMA COUNTY HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 4, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The 
Sonoma Hispanic County Chamber of Commerce, of Santa Rosa, California 
on the occasion of their 25th anniversary celebration.
  The mission of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is to promote and 
support Sonoma County businesses with a commitment towards creating a 
healthy business environment through education, civic, and economic 
programs. They are an association of individuals, organizations, and 
business professionals working together to enhance our local economy 
and foster a positive cultural image.
  The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Sonoma County was founded in the 
spring of 1987, and has since greatly expanded its membership and 
endeavors. Originally known as the Latino Breakfast Club, it formalized 
into a network of professionals, entrepreneurs, business people, and 
community leaders--Hispanic and non-Hispanic--who recognize the 
importance of the Hispanic community and its impact on society.
  In the last 24 years, the Chamber has raised over $280,000 for the 
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund, which

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has been distributed to over 300 students living in Sonoma County. 
These scholarships have helped many rising Latino students reach their 
goals by supporting their financial needs. Bilingual parent/student 
workshops were instituted in order to complement the scholarship 
program, and have since provided information on FAFSA, financial aid, 
and the college transition.
  In order to get further involved in the community, the Sonoma County 
Chamber of Commerce established the Leadership Academy, modeled after 
the well-respected program developed by the Press Democrat, The Press 
Democrat Leadership Forum. The Leadership Academy was created with the 
objectives of encouraging a new generation of leaders in Sonoma County 
and facilitating an ongoing dialogue that helps members of the Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce understand all the ways our hometowns are changing.
  Members of the Sonoma County Hispanic Network have an opportunity to 
create a difference in the community. Through the membership their 
voices are heard in the political, social, economic, and educational 
arenas.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge The 
Sonoma County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for their extraordinary 
work.

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