[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 72 (Monday, June 12, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE ``HOUSE THE SENATE BUILT'' RESOLUTION

  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today, during National 
Homeownership Week, to urge the Senate's commitment to affordable 
housing. I ask my colleagues to support a Resolution expressing the 
Senate's commitment to the ``House the Senate Built'' project. This 
proposed partnership between the United States Senate and Habitats for 
Humanity will lead to the construction of a simple home with and for a 
low-income family in all fifty states and the District of Columbia by 
the end of 2001.
  Our colleagues in the House of Representatives have already made this 
a priority. Three years ago, members of the House unanimously passed a 
Resolution which expressed its commitment to build an affordable home 
for a family in need in each of the 435 Congressional districts. Since 
that time, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, homes have been 
built in nearly every district.
  Habitat for Humanity's work is respected and admired. In its twenty-
three years, Habitat for Humanity has housed nearly 400,000 people in 
79,300 Habitat houses worldwide. Under the continued leadership of 
founder Millard Fuller, Habitat built 13,682 homes in 1999.
  Spend some time with Mr. Fuller or at one Habitat's worksites, and 
you will find that the passion for providing all sleepy children a 
decent place to lay their heads is contagious. Millard wisely states, 
``We have the know-how in the world to house everyone. We have the 
resources in the world to house everyone. All that's missing is the 
will to do it.''
  I suggest that the Senate has the will to make affordable housing for 
all Americans a reality. We can show our commitment by lending our own 
skills and strength to the construction of one Habitat for Humanity 
home in each State by the end of next year.
  I encourage you to work with your local Habitat for Humanity 
affiliate--there are over 2,000--to identify a community and family in 
need of a little extra assistance to make their dream of homeownership 
a reality.
  We all remember our first home--the pride we took in mowing the lawn 
for the first time, family barbecues, the excitement and nervous 
anticipation of our first dinner party. I believe that every American 
deserves the opportunity to feel the pride of homeownership.
  We have the know-how, the resources, and, certainly, the need. Let us 
now show America that we have the will to give more Americans the 
opportunity to own their own home.

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