[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE MERCED COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY (MCCAA) ON THEIR 
                            60TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. JOHN S. DUARTE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 2024

  Mr. DUARTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Merced County 
Community Action Agency (MCCAA) in celebrating sixty years of service. 
MCCAA began serving Dos Palos in 1964 and opened its first Head Start 
center in 1965. MCCAA is part of a nationwide movement that began with 
the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 by President Lyndon 
B. Johnson. MCCAA's mission is to serve, advocate, and collaborate for 
those in need by developing innovative strategies for self-empowerment.
  MCCAA gainfully employs nearly 200 people and serves over 17,000 
unduplicated customers every month with a total of sixteen federal and 
state programs. The work MCCAA provides for the community would be 
impossible without our local community, who last year volunteered over 
14,000 hours. Last year, MCCAA housed over 112 formerly unhoused 
community members with safe, affordable homes. Over 400 children 
utilize their free preschool programs for early learning and education. 
MCCAA provides 1,500 families with utility assistance, keeping families 
safe during scorching Valley summers.
  The MCCAA maintains over sixteen other locations in Merced County, 
and partners with over 200 local service providers, government 
agencies, and families to help with outreach, referrals and access to 
needed services. The D Street Navigation Center is open year-round, 
twenty-four hours per day to meet the needs of Merced County's most 
vulnerable living on the streets. Last year, over 514 unhoused 
individuals stayed at this Center.
  MCAA continues to expand. MCAA recently added a diaper bank, a summer 
food program, and expanded support for at risk pregnant and new 
mothers.
  Therefore Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House 
of Representatives to join me in celebrating the MCCAA for 60 years of 
service to our Valley.

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