[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARC LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE 
                                COUNTIES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 20, 2016

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate The Arc 
Los Angeles and Orange Counties (The Arc LAOC) on its 60th anniversary, 
which is being celebrated on September 24th. Thanks to its advocacy and 
its array of services, intellectually and developmentally disabled 
individuals in my district have found new opportunities to participate 
in community life. I salute this dynamic organization, and all those it 
serves, on 60 years of hard work, progress, and triumph.
  The Arc LAOC has a rich legacy of promoting self-determination, 
dignity, and a high quality of life for all individuals. It was founded 
in 1956 by a handful of dedicated and resourceful parents seeking 
educational and employment opportunities for their sons and daughters. 
Today, its programs and services assist more than 200 individuals with 
intellectual and developmental disabilities in Los Angeles and Orange 
Counties. With the organization's help, these individuals set and 
accomplish goals relating to learning, living, working, and 
socializing.
  The past decade has been a time of substantial growth for The Arc 
LAOC. Its latest addition, the Community Integrated Training Program 
(CIT), offers opportunities in the arts, culture education, hobby 
development, and community experiences to participants aged 22 to 49. 
Other developments have included the October 2014 opening of the Just-
A-Buck store in Long Beach, and the renovation of Downey's Reagan 
Banquet and Conference Center, named in loving memory of Bennie and 
Annie Reagan.
  The organization marked another milestone this past March, when it 
celebrated its 20th Annual Arc Walk for Independence. The Walk is a 
yearly opportunity for thousands of people from surrounding communities 
to gather in support of independence for individuals with developmental 
disabilities.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in celebrating the 60th anniversary 
of The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Its decades-long record of 
service and success is a powerful reminder that wonderful things can 
happen when we offer help and hope to our fellow Americans. Thanks to 
its strong partnerships with local agencies, leaders, and businesses, I 
have no doubt that it will continue to evolve as a leading community 
organization.

                          ____________________