[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  GONZALEZ RECEIVES HOUSING HERO AWARD

                                 ______


                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the distinguished 
chairman of the House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs 
was the first recipient of the Federal National Mortgage Association's 
[Fannie Mae] Housing Hero Award. Fannie Mae bestows this award on 
public officials whose efforts and activities enhance homeownership 
opportunities for low- and moderate-income people. This award was 
presented to Chairman Gonzalez last night by Fannie Mae's Chairman and 
CEO James A. Johnson at the National Bankers Association reception held 
in the Rayburn House Office Building.
  The inscription on the plaque read:

                        Fannie Mae Housing Hero

       Chairman Henry B. Gonzalez for his lifetime efforts to 
     extend the American dream of homeownership to families across 
     Texas and throughout America.
       Presented with gratitude by James A. Johnson, Chairman and 
     Chief Executive Officer.

  Chairman Gonzalez efforts over his long and distinguished career is 
well known by those of us who serve on the Banking Committee, so I am 
delighted that Jim Johnson and Fannie Mae has highlighted the housing 
career of my distinguished colleague from Texas by making this new and 
special award to Henry Gonzalez.
  Mr. Speaker, I am including a copy of a news release on the 
chairman's award and Jim Johnson's remarks at the presentation.

                             [News Release]

  Representative Henry Gonzalez Receives the First Fannie Mae Housing 
                               Hero Award

       Washington, DC.--Rep. Henry Gonzalez today received the 
     first-ever Fannie Mae Housing Hero Award in recognition for a 
     lifetime of accomplishments in ensuring that millions of 
     families have decent, safe, and affordable housing throughout 
     the nation.
       ``Millions of American families across the country live in 
     better conditions and in many cases have achieved 
     homeownership because of Chairman Gonzalez' tireless efforts 
     over the past 32 years in Congress,'' said Fannie Mae 
     Chairman James A. Johnson. ``He has always fought to give 
     people a better shot at the American dream of owning a home, 
     and we are pleased to recognize that achievement with this 
     award.''
       Since becoming chairman of the housing subcommittee in 
     1989, Gonzalez has written four major pieces of housing 
     legislation, including the Cranston-Gonzalez Affordable 
     Housing Act and the 1992 Affordable Housing Act. In addition, 
     Gonzalez has been the primary sponsor of legislation that 
     created the Federal Public Housing Program and FHA insurance 
     to guarantee mortgages for single-family and multifamily 
     housing. Gonzalez was also the primary congressional author 
     of the ``Section 235'' program that has assisted several 
     thousand families in purchasing homes in San Antonio.
       The Fannie Mae Housing Hero Award was presented to 
     Congressman Gonzalez by Mr. Johnson at the National Bankers 
     Association's 15th Annual Congressional Reception. This is 
     the third year that Fannie Mae has jointly sponsored the 
     Reception in Washington, D.C.
       The Fannie Mae Housing Hero Award recognizes elected 
     officials for their lifelong work to implement policies that 
     will help low- and moderate-income families and individuals 
     live in decent, affordable homes and apartments.
       ``The Housing Hero Award in Fannie Mae's version of the 
     Oscar,'' Johnson said. ``It is presented to a star player in 
     the housing arena who serves in elected office and who uses 
     that office as an activist seeking to create housing 
     opportunities for all low-, moderate-, and middle-income 
     Americans. Henry Gonzalez fits that profile perfectly.''
       The Fannie Mae Housing Hero Award is based on a combination 
     of votes for affordable housing initiatives and legislation 
     that has been introduced and enacted by Congress to improve 
     the quality of housing available to low-, moderate-, and 
     middle-income Americans.
       Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association--FNM/
     NYSE) is a congressionally chartered, shareholder-owned 
     corporation and the nation's largest source of funds for home 
     mortgages.

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