(November 3, 2006) Downtown, Los Angeles - Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) presents the president and board chairman of the non-profit Valley Economic Development Center with a certificate of congressional recognition in honor of the center's 30th anniversary at a Union Station ceremony in Downtown. More than 500 supporters of the center attended the event, including many business leaders, entrepreneurs and small business owners who benefited from the center's services. Through public-private partnerships, the center works cooperatively with private industry and local, state and federal agencies to provide capital to small businesses throughout the San Fernando Valley and greater Los Angeles area. In recognition of this partnership, the center honored the City of Los Angeles for enabling the center to assist 30,000 businesses since its inception. Among the center's programs, the Historic Downtown Los Angeles Retail Project on 9th Street provides free retail consulting services to businesses interested in locating or expanding within the historic Downtown area. Pictured at the gala: Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (center); the center's President Roberto Barragan (left); and the center's Board Chairman Mel Kohn (right).