DOWNEY - Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard joined participants of the Council of Mexican Federations' Parents in Education program for a tour of the Coca-Cola Bottling plant in Downey on May 20.The facility employs about 1,000 people and is regarded as the largest distribution center in North America, with a geographic area that includes all of Southern California, Southern Nevada (including Las Vegas), Washington, Hawaii and the Mexican border. The congresswoman met with many of the plant's managers and employees, and said she is working in Congress to create more manufacturing jobs in this country. The plant tour also provided parents with the Council's Parents in Education program the opportunity to learn about Coca-Cola and its commitment to the community. The Council of Mexican Federations is a non-profit organization serving the immigrant community since 2004. Grants Roybal-Allard also hosted 165 people at her 16th annual grants workshop held May 20 at Southern California Gas Company's Energy Resource Center in Downey. The congresswoman hosts the free event each year to provide local non-profit organizations the opportunity to meet and discuss upcoming funding opportunities with 28 different federal, state and local government agencies and foundations. "As a former executive director of local non-profit organizations, I know how difficult it is to obtain the funds you need to run your programs and carry out your mission, particularly given today's environment," Roybal-Allard told the audience during her opening remarks. "I know that some nonprofits are surviving like many American families - paycheck to paycheck - unsure if there will be sufficient funds for next month's budget, let alone next year's. "I can assure you that back in Washington, D.C. many of my fellow colleagues and I are doing everything in our power to retain the most robust funding levels possible for our grant-making federal agencies. It is a tough fight, but one we will not back away from."

********** Published: June 2, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 7