1Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Opportunities
2Industrialization Centers and designating April 29, 2014, as
3"Opportunities Industrialization Center Day" in Pennsylvania.

4WHEREAS, Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) seek
5to train millions of men and women with untapped talents and
6skills who are unemployed and underemployed; and

7WHEREAS, The founder of OIC, the Reverend Dr. Leon H.
8Sullivan, started the very first OIC training center in 1964 in
9an abandoned jailhouse in north Philadelphia; and

10WHEREAS, The undertaking was a huge success, and programs
11were quickly replicated in cities across the United States,
12providing comprehensive employment training and placement for
13disadvantaged, unemployed and unskilled Americans of all races
14and backgrounds; and

15WHEREAS, The OIC philosophy of "self-help" and the system of
16developing the "whole person" enable individuals to become self-

1sufficient, productive workers; and

2WHEREAS, OIC prepares people for today's work force with
3quality life skills development, fundamental education, job
4skills training and employment readiness; and

5WHEREAS, OIC has the objective of fostering and nurturing a
6sense of self-pride amongst its associates and trainees to give
7them confidence and enable them to participate with dignity in
8society; and

9WHEREAS, This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the OIC;
10and

11WHEREAS, The OIC seeks to stimulate loyalty, pride in the
12community and a sense of goodwill involving all religious,
13racial, cultural, economic and political groups, while
14developing an awareness of each person's relationships and
15responsibilities to humanity; and

16WHEREAS, Herman "Art" Taylor was appointed chairperson of the
17National Board of Directors for OIC of America, Inc., in April
182009; and

19WHEREAS, The mission of OIC is to continue to be the nation's
20leader in providing quality education, training, employment and
21housing services through a national network of local affiliated
22organizations, enabling economically disadvantaged people of all
23races and backgrounds to become productive and fulfilled members
24of American society; therefore be it

25RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
2650th anniversary of Opportunities Industrialization Centers and
27designate April 29, 2014, as "Opportunities Industrialization
28Centers Day" in Pennsylvania.