[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13252]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE CALIFORNIA HISPANIC CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 9, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, CHCC, as it celebrates its 
35th anniversary at its annual convention being held at Oakland, 
California. I commend CHCC for their choice to hold this important 
event in my congressional district, known for its spirit of diversity 
and innovation, as well as its proud history of Hispanic and Latino 
entrepreneurship.
  In 1978, a group of local Hispanic chamber leaders from throughout 
California convened to discuss the lack of representation of Hispanic 
businesses in State government. These leaders also recognized the need 
for an organization that would effectively represent the interest of 
the rapidly growing number of Hispanic-owned businesses in California. 
From those beginnings, the CHCC has grown into a network of over 65 
Hispanic chambers and business associations throughout the State of 
California. Through its network, the CHCC represents the interest of 
over 700,000 Hispanic business owners in the State, making it the 
largest ethnic business organization in the Nation.
  As a longtime advocate for the advancement of disadvantaged and 
minority-owned businesses, I applaud the CHCC's mission to promote, 
support, and encourage the advancement and development of Hispanic and 
minority-owned businesses, and to provide an organizational forum for 
the exchange of ideas, information, technical assistance, procurement 
opportunities, and any other form of business opportunities that 
enhance the Hispanic and minority business communities. I also commend 
its development of a program of advocacy in order to inform and educate 
elected and appointed officials, legislative bodies, agencies, and 
public and private organizations about the concerns, needs, and 
opportunities which affect the Hispanic and minority business 
communities of California, and to foster unity and communication 
between organizations, corporations, and individuals who support the 
goals and objectives of the CHCC.
  CHCC's numerous programs are making real impacts in this State. 
Through their Project Homeowner initiative, CHCC has worked to help 
borrowers understand their financials, and in some cases reach 
agreements on home loan modifications. The ABC/ETP program works to 
connect minority and women-owned firms with tools and non-traditional 
capital streams, while providing educational opportunities to bolster 
budding businesses through an innovative, original curriculum.
  Since 2008, the CHCC Foundation has worked to promote charitable 
programs to create and develop educational and economic development 
programs to increase adult leadership for CHCC and its members, and to 
provide scholarship opportunities for qualified students to attend 
educational institutions to study business and economic development. 
The Foundation also partners with the United Health Care Foundation to 
provide scholarship opportunities to promising students entering the 
medical field.
  Therefore, on behalf of the residents of California's 13th 
Congressional District, I would like to salute the CHCC, and all of 
those who have contributed to its 35 years of success. Thank you for 
your long-term belief in entrepreneurship and for your contributions to 
our community. Once again, congratulations, and I wish you the very 
best as you strive for another 35 years of excellence.

                          ____________________