[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5452-5453]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTER OF FRESNO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2012

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Islamic 
Cultural Center of Fresno, ICCF, its board of trustees, and members as 
they celebrate their 10th anniversary. ICCF is a non-profit religious 
institution in the heart of California's San Joaquin Valley which is 
dedicated to providing spiritual empowerment and support to Muslims and 
non-Muslims alike. Through their work and educational endeavors, ICCF 
has been an asset to our community and a true reflection of the rich 
diversity in our nation.
  Since its inception, ICCF has promoted instruction and dialogue in 
hopes of establishing understanding and harmony among persons of all 
faiths. An active participant and leader in interfaith collaboration, 
activities, and discussion, ICCF hosts a number of activities and 
programs designed to fulfill its goals. ICCF has developed diversity 
training seminars to provide insight into Islam and the local Muslim

[[Page 5453]]

community. For example, in 2005, after consultation with Fresno Police 
Chief Jerry Dyer, ICCF began providing diversity training to police 
officers in an effort to increase awareness and knowledge of cultural 
differences. In 2007, ICCF, the California Health Department, and the 
Marin Abused Women's Services Center led two training seminars to 
discuss and advocate the prevention of domestic violence.
  In addition to its cultural diversity training efforts, ICCF has also 
served our community by providing family support services. In 
partnership with Child Protective Services, CPS, ICCF has ensured that 
children who are removed from their homes because of safety concerns 
are able to maintain their cultural norms and traditional practices.
  ICCF has worked tirelessly to improve the well-being of our entire 
community. They have worked with Fresno's Poverello House, an 
organization that serves the hungry, homeless, and destitute, to 
collect food and distribute it at schools and homeless areas. 
Additionally, they have joined efforts with the Marjaree Mason Center, 
a widely recognized non-profit center for victims of domestic violence, 
to educate and empower some of our Valley's most vulnerable residents.
  As one of the premier faith and culture centers in Central 
California, ICCF has welcomed students and faculty from a number of 
educational institutions, including Fresno State, University of 
Phoenix, Fresno City College, as well as local school districts. Often, 
visitors learn about the teachings of Islam, women in Islam, as well as 
Islamic perspectives in areas related to anthropology, sociology, and 
economics.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating and 
recognizing ten years of worship, leadership, and community 
involvement. The Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno accurately reflects 
the best of what America has to offer--diversity, understanding, and 
service.

                          ____________________