[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 76 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5362-S5363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               MISSION OF PEACE HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I have come today to ask the Senate 
to join with me in paying tribute to the Mission of Peace Housing 
Counseling Agency which is located in the City of Flint, in my home 
state of Michigan.
  Home ownership has long been one of the best ways for individuals and 
families to acquire capital, build equity and secure entry into the 
middle class. Mission of Peace Housing Counseling Agency was founded in 
1997 by Reverend Elmira Smith-Vincent to assist those who desire to own 
their own home thereby gaining further control over their financial 
futures. As a real estate agent, Reverend Smith-Vincent saw a need to 
educate people and provide them with the skills needed to purchase a 
home. A faith-based, non profit agency, Mission of Peace Housing 
Counseling Agency provides assistance to families and individuals in 
the skills needed to purchase a home.
  Since its inception, Mission of Peace Housing Counseling Agency has 
developed strong working relationships with the Department of Housing 
and Urban Development, The Fannie Mae Corporation, the Fannie Mae 
Foundation, the United States Department of the Treasury, the Federal 
Reserve Bank, area banks and lenders, local governments, schools, and 
the faith-based community. These strong relationships have enabled the 
Mission of Peace Housing Counseling Agency to have accomplished many 
great things since its inception only five years ago.
  In 2001, they formed a partnership with Fannie Mae to offer the 
Mission of Peace Faith-Based Home ownership Initiative. As well, they 
implemented with great success an Individual Development Account 
program which allows participants to open an account at the Fifth Third 
Bank to save toward the

[[Page S5363]]

down payment and closing cost of home purchase. Most recently, the 
United States Department of the Treasury announced that Mission of 
Peace Housing Counseling Agency is a recipient of a First Accounts 
Program Grant to assist ``unbanked'' people. Through this grant, they 
will provide services in Genesee, Lapeer, Oakland, Saginaw and Shiwasee 
Counties.
  Mission of Peace Housing Counseling Agency is a leader in helping 
people take control of their financial well-being and has been 
recognized numerous times for their achievements. Some of the agencies 
awards include the Local and National HUD Best Practices Award, the 
Congress of National Bank Churches Client Volume Award, Homeowners and 
Outstanding Achievement Awards, Fannie Mae Partner Award, State of 
Michigan Special Tribute Award, the City of Flint Peppy Rosenthal Human 
Service Award and the Project Zero Partner of the Year Family 
Independence Agency of Genesee County Award. I know my Senate 
colleagues join me in congratulating Mission of Peace Housing 
Counseling Agency on the work that they have done, and in wishing them 
well in the years to come.

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