[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11384]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF 
                                MONTEREY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 8, 2014

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and celebrate the 30th 
anniversary of the Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey. Established 
in 1984, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey is a faith-
based, nonprofit social service agency providing aid to individuals and 
families in the four California Central Coast counties of Monterey, 
Santa Cruz, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo. Formed with a mission to 
assist individuals and families of all backgrounds and beliefs by 
providing them with tools, training, and resources to help meet basic 
necessities for life, Catholic Charities also provides information and 
referrals to social service agencies in each community it serves.
  The people of California's Central Coast are fortunate to be served 
by this distinguished organization. Serving over 20,000 individuals 
annually, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey provides help 
and creates hope through its three core areas of service: Mental Health 
Counseling, Immigration and Citizenship, and Family Supportive 
Services. By taking into account the whole person as well as the family 
and life situation, the organization takes a holistic approach to 
helping people change their lives, rise up out of poverty, and overcome 
the barriers to self-sufficiency. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of 
Monterey is affiliated with Catholic Charities USA, the nation's 
largest social services network that serves more than seven million 
people each year. Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey is dedicated 
to addressing the root causes of poverty and participates in the 
Campaign to Cut Poverty, part of a nationwide effort started by 
Catholic Charities USA, and collaboration with coalitions of community-
based organizations, interfaith allies, government representatives, and 
business leaders in the four counties of the Diocese of Monterey to cut 
poverty in half by 2020.
  Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey is one of the few non-
profit organizations in the region that is certified by the Board of 
Immigration Appeals, which is the highest administrative body 
responsible for recognizing and accrediting organizations that practice 
before the immigration courts. They provide guidance for those who 
struggle in achieving lawful permanent residence status and those who 
wish to become citizens of our nation. Catholic Charities staff are a 
significant resource in our communities known for their experience in 
the processes of becoming legal residents and/or citizens. Staff 
ensures full and accurate assistance for the current and ever growing, 
caseload of 5,000 clients annually in addition to over 9,000 services 
for consultation, replacement of legal permanent cards, work 
authorization renewal, applications for U.S. citizenship and English 
translation of certificates of birth, marriage, divorce, death and 
adoption. In the fall of 2013, Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey 
assisted 400 youth and young adults with the Deferred Action for 
Childhood Arrivals and work authorization applications. No doubt those 
numbers will continue to grow given the recent extension of the 
program. Catholic Charities is one of the few trusted organizations in 
our community and we are lucky to have them.
  Mr. Speaker, I know the whole House joins me in congratulating 
Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey on its 30th anniversary, and 
commend the organization for its many contributions and quality of 
service to the public.

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