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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 128 (Thursday, September 20, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6535]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

              60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED

 Mr. BENNET. Mr. President, I rise today, September 20, to 
celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Denver, CO chapter of The Links, 
Incorporated, and to honor dedicated women actively working to build a 
stronger community in the greater Denver area. As the father of three 
daughters, these women exemplify role models and are leaders in our 
community in the areas of business, civic duties, mentorship, activism, 
and volunteer work.
  Founded in 1946, The Links is one of the oldest and largest volunteer 
service organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring 
the culture and economic survival of people of African descent. Their 
membership consists of over 12,000 professional women of color in 276 
chapters located in 42 States, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
  The Links focus on our five major facets: national trends and 
services, the arts, services to youth, international trends and 
services, and health and human services. The combined 276 chapters 
contribute more than 500,000 documented hours of community service.
  For over 50 years, the Denver chapter has sponsored numerous projects 
including support to Stovall Care Center nursing home; Cleo Parker 
Robinson Dance; the George Washington Carver Day Care Center; the East 
High School Community Forum; and the Marcus Garvey Center at the 
University of Northern Colorado. Internationally, this chapter has also 
helped to increase access to basic necessities such as water by 
building water wells in African countries.
  This chapter has honored and awarded scholarships to high school and 
college students. Our current mayor, the Honorable Michael B. Hancock, 
received one of these scholarships to help him attend Hastings College 
in Nebraska.
  Since 2009, the Denver chapter has made a tradition of targeting 
programs that aim to close the achievement gap of middle school 
students at Hallett Fundamental Elementary School in Denver. In 
response to the academic needs of youth at Hallett, they have tutored, 
mentored, donated computers, and coordinated cultural, career, health, 
and violence prevention programs.
  As the former superintendent of Denver Public Schools and a person 
devoted to enhancing volunteerism and commitment to community service 
among Americans of all ages, I am proud to honor the Denver chapter of 
The Links, Incorporated.
  Mr. President, our Nation is profoundly affected by the service of 
volunteers. Generations of individuals from different backgrounds have 
served each other and have focused on making our communities a better 
place for all. Please join me in celebrating the 60th anniversary of 
Denver's chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and their commitment to 
purposeful service and transformational programs to enrich the quality 
of life for local, national, and global communities everywhere.

                          ____________________
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