[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 30 (Thursday, March 7, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         MARIETTA'S ``MIRACLE''

                                 ______


                           HON. NEWT GINGRICH

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 7, 1996

  Mr. GINGRICH. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my fellow colleagues to read 
the following editorial from the Marietta Daily Journal which describes 
the wonderful opportunities Habitat for Humanity has offered many of my 
constituents. I have volunteered for Habitat in my district and can 
attest that it is a very rewarding experience to see future homeowners 
alongside public-spirited citizens. Furthermore, it is a program that 
combines prayer with practical help.
  American-style volunteerism is proven every day by those noble 
individuals who are willing to give their time to make others' lives 
better. In the American tradition of volunteerism and charity, I would 
encourage all of my friends and colleagues in the House to get involved 
with Habitat in their own communities, as well.

            [From the Marietta Daily Journal, Feb. 28, 1996]

                         Marietta's ``Miracle''

       Many people lament the plight of the homeless, but leave to 
     others the hard work of housing the less fortunate. Not so 
     those involved with Habitat for Humanity.
       Since the establishment of its first Cobb County branch in 
     1986, Cobb Habitat has built or rehabilitated 54 homes: 22 in 
     Power Springs, 16 in Marietta, nine in Acworth, four in 
     Kennesaw, two in Smyrna and one in Austell.
       Now the group is in the process of acquiring 11 properties 
     in one of Cobb's most drug-and crime-ridden neighborhoods. 
     The project has been christened ``The Marietta Miracle: 
     Roosevelt Circle Renewal,'' and is focused on the Roosevelt 
     area, where drug dealers, prostitutes and vacant houses have 
     blighted what was once a fairly typical working-class 
     community and where law-abiding residents sometimes are 
     afraid to leave their houses.
       The targeted properties consist of a variety of vacant lots 
     and dilapidated duplexes. Habitat will buy the properties, 
     refurbish the duplexes and build single-family homes on the 
     vacant lots. The upshot is that when the project is complete, 
     up to 18 families will have new homes.
       As with all Habitat projects, the new owners will be picked 
     from a pool of qualified families based on need, their 
     willingness to work in a partnership and their ability to 
     repay the 15-year loans used to finance a house. Only those 
     with incomes are considered as prospective owners. Those 
     chosen also must undergo a rigorous interview process and put 
     in 300 hours of ``sweat equity'' on Habitat construction 
     projects.
       ``It'll be a big leap of faith for the families that will 
     move into the homes,'' said Craig Satterlee, Cobb Habitat's 
     executive director. ``Our mission is to eliminate poverty 
     housing in Cobb by building new homes and rehabilitating 
     existing homes. There is no place more in need than Roosevelt 
     Circle.''
       The project is expected to cost $730,000, of which $400,000 
     already has been pledged by local churches and businesses, 
     including eight Catholic churches, St. Catherine's Episcopal, 
     St. James Episcopal, Home Depot, Crawford & Co., the Cobb 
     Board of Realtors, and students at Kennesaw State College.
       ``Far more important than the economics is the spirit of 
     giving of yourselves. That's what makes a good community,'' 
     said U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-east Cobb, at 
     Saturday's kickoff for the ``Marietta Miracle'' at First 
     Baptist Church of Marietta, ``Habitat doesn't give to the 
     poor--it involves the poor in creating a better life for 
     themselves.''
       And as Marietta Ward 5 Councilman James Dodd put it: 
     ``Other people in the [Roosevelt Circle] community will see 
     these homes and will use them as a model to upgrade theirs.''
       Hopefully, the Habitat project will have a ripple effect in 
     the community, as its others have so many times before. And 
     hopefully, those ripples will continue to widen.

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