[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 155 (Saturday, December 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E2351]]



     RECOGNIZING DAN CHRISTIE, CHRISTIE CONSTRUCTION, CHARLOTTE, MI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 1998

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to take a moment today 
to recognize Mr. Dan Christie, owner of Christie Construction, for his 
work on the ``House That Congress Built'' project in Charlotte, 
Michigan.
  Dan has enthusiastically served as volunteer construction manager and 
building consultant for several weeks at the construction site and 
future home located at 521 Monroe. I am proud to say we will dedicate 
the home this Sunday, December 20, 1998, at 3 p.m.
  Mr. Christie generously volunteered his construction expertise to 
patiently and expertly guide volunteers with varying degrees of 
experience to construct the home. Not only did Dan donate his vast 
knowledge, but his time and tools too.
  Families selected to receive a Habitat for Humanity home are required 
to contribute many hours of their ``sweat equity'' to the construction 
of their future home. Mr. Christie's sweat equity, his dedication, hard 
work and long hours, many times getting to the site after working for 
his own company all day, is what I recognize and honor today. His 
investment in this home, neighborhood, Charlotte community, Eaton Area 
Habitat for Humanity, and perhaps most importantly, the lives of the 
new homeowners, Julie, Hailey and Skyler Hartig, is to be commended.
  Many of my colleagues have been involved in the construction of a 
Habitat for Humanity home. This year, I was privileged enough to lend 
my support to three houses in my district. I could not have attempted 
to help build these homes without the drive, support and assistance of 
good people like Mr. Dan Christie.
  The Honorable Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, perhaps summed it 
up best when we kicked off the ``House that Congress Built'' project 
last year, ``When you help a family grow, as well as build a house . . 
. when you watch the sense of ownership . . . you understand why this 
is a great program.''
  The Theology of the Hammer, a guiding principle of Habitat, is an 
appropriate way to describe Dan's efforts. This theology emphasizes 
partnerships, bringing people together from all different social, 
racial, religious, political and education backgrounds, to work 
together for a common goal. This was never more apparent than working 
at the Charlotte home site. People were brought together in the spirit 
of friendship and teamwork, and personal differences didn't matter. Mr. 
Christie embodies the spirit of volunteerism and caring and Christian 
values that drive so many organizations like Habitat for Humanity and 
allows them to do all the good things they do for others in need in our 
communities and around the world.
  Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child 
should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live, grow and raise 
their families. Because of Dan Christie, the Julie Hartig family now 
has such a place to call home.
  My wife Bonnie and I would like to offer Dan our most sincere thanks 
for his dedicated volunteerism and assistance in helping build the 
Eaton Area Habitat for Humanity's the ``House That Congress Built,'' at 
521 Monroe, Charlotte.

                          ____________________