The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING DESSERAY ``DEZ'' VEGA AND ALUM ROCK COUNSELING CENTER ON
THE OCCASION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
______
HON. ZOE LOFGREN
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, April 30, 2021
Ms. LOFGREN. Madam Speaker, I rise to today to recognize Desseray
``Dez'' Vega, a Program Manager at Alum Rock Counseling Center (ARCC) in my Congressional district. I was proud to invite Ms. Vega to be my virtual guest to President Biden 's Joint Address to Congress on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.
ARCC provides behavioral health and community support services for more than 10,000 children and families in Santa Clara County each year. Before the Joint Address, I spoke to Ms. Vega about the effect the COVID relief bills have had on ARCC, the counselors she manages, her clients, and her family. I was glad to hear that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) kept ARCC from laying off around 80 people, helping both the employees and their families as well as the children they serve.
Ms. Vega works one-on-one with in-need children in San Jose and manages a team of 15 counselors as part of ARCC's Prevention and Early Intervention program. Ms. Vega said, ``I was able to see firsthand how the PPP really made a difference. Having income and stability helps us
[counselors] be more present and helps our clients and their families. During the pandemic, there has been trauma for the families we serve, and everything has been inconsistent except for the therapy we provide. From my personal experience, I'm so grateful'' for COVID relief legislation.
Madam Speaker, the truth is, it is us who should be grateful for Ms. Vega, counselors like her. and organizations like ARCC that serve our communities. It is my pleasure to recognize Ms. Vega and her positive contributions to the lives of children and families in my Congressional district before, during, and after the pandemic. I also call on all my colleagues to join me in continuing to meet the needs of communities across the country during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 75
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