[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4936]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CONGRATULATING CENTER ON HALSTED

  (Mr. QUIGLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Center on 
Halsted on its 5-year anniversary of building and strengthening the 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Chicago.
  On June 1 of 2007, I was proud to join residents from my district and 
across Illinois on the corner of Halsted and Waveland as Chicago's 
first permanent LGBT community center opened its doors. Since that 
time, Center on Halsted has become the Midwest's largest LGBT community 
center and a model for similar organizations across our Nation.
  Patrons of all ages, backgrounds, and economic status participate in 
the wide assortment of public programs and social services offered at 
the center. Its youth program provides leadership training and 
professional development to more than 1,800 young people across 
Chicago. Social service programs include rapid HIV testing, group and 
individual psychotherapy, legal help, job training, and the Anti-
Violence Project advocating for victims of hate crimes and domestic 
violence.
  Under the leadership of CEO Modesto Tico Valle and the great efforts 
of so many people, Center on Halsted has grown into the phenomenal 
organization that it is today, welcoming the LGBT community and making 
our entire community a better place.

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