Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-08

CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRO HISPANO

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Context

On 2026-06-08, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-6) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRO HISPANO" in the House.

Full Text

CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRO HISPANO

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)] [House] [Page H3977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRO HISPANO (Ms. HOULAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Centro Hispano, one of the longest-running Latino-serving organizations in Pennsylvania and a cornerstone of Reading and Berks County since 1966. For six decades, Centro Hispano has supported generations of Latino families as they navigated education, healthcare, immigration, employment, and everyday life in our community. Today, Reading is home to one of the most vibrant and diverse Latino populations in the Northeast, and Centro Hispano remains a trusted first stop for families seeking help, guidance, and opportunity. Mr. Speaker, there would be no Centro Hispano without Mike Toledo. Mike has spent decades moving mountains for the people of Reading. When families needed food, he found it. When children needed nutrition, he connected local dairy farmers with Centro's meal programs. When the community needed COVID vaccines, he operated organized clinics. When tragedy struck at the R.M. Palmer factory, Mike was already mobilizing help. When people questioned whether their voices mattered, he organized voter registration drives and reminded the community why democracy does matter. Mike greets people with two simple words: Hello, family. That spirit of compassion, dignity, and community defines both the man and the institution he helped build. To Mike Toledo and everyone at Centro Hispano, congratulations on 60 extraordinary years of service. Berks County is stronger because of them, and we are all grateful. ____________________

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CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRO HISPANO Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)] [House] [Page H3977] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CENTRO HISPANO (Ms. HOULAHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and celebrate the 60th anniversary of Centro Hispano, one of the longest-running Latino-serving organizations in Pennsylvania and a cornerstone of Reading and Berks County since 1966. For six decades, Centro Hispano has supported generations of Latino families as they navigated education, healthcare, immigration, employment, and everyday life in our community. Today, Reading is home to one of the most vibrant and diverse Latino populations in the Northeast, and Centro Hispano remains a trusted first stop for families seeking help, guidance, and opportunity. Mr. Speaker, there would be no Centro Hispano without Mike Toledo. Mike has spent decades moving mountains for the people of Reading. When families needed food, he found it. When children needed nutrition, he connected local dairy farmers with Centro's meal programs. When the community needed COVID vaccines, he operated organized clinics. When tragedy struck at the R.M. Palmer factory, Mike was already mobilizing help. When people questioned whether their voices mattered, he organized voter registration drives and reminded the community why democracy does matter. Mike greets people with two simple words: Hello, family. That spirit of compassion, dignity, and community defines both the man and the institution he helped build. To Mike Toledo and everyone at Centro Hispano, congratulations on 60 extraordinary years of service. Berks County is stronger because of them, and we are all grateful. ____________________