[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 120 (Thursday, September 22, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE MANUFACTURED HOUSING INDUSTRY OF ARIZONA

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                            HON. RICK RENZI

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2005

  Mr. RENZI. Mr. Speaker I rise today to honor the Manufactured Housing 
Industry of Arizona for its work to assist Native American Veterans by 
donating the materials for the Lori Piestewa Veteran's Center in 
Arizona that was recently featured on the popular ABC TV show, 
``Extreme Makeover--Home Edition'' seen by 20 million viewers on May 
22, 2005.
  The Center is dedicated to the memory of Specialist Lori Piestewa, a 
member of the Hopi Tribe and a native of Tuba City, Arizona. She is 
believed to be the first female Native American soldier killed during 
wartime while serving in the United States Army.
  I would like to thank Cavco Homes for its generous donation of the 
Veteran's Center. It took approximately 400 employees from Cavco's 
Litchfield, Arizona plant working around the clock for four days to 
complete the building. The home has several large open areas for 
displays and meetings, a large kitchen and dining room, and two offices 
or conference rooms. The house also contains a handicap-accessible 
bathroom, special lighting throughout the interior spaces, and a stucco 
exterior that fits in with the Santa Fe style architecture so prevalent 
in the Southwest.
  I would also like to recognize the Manufactured Housing Industry of 
Arizona for working with Extreme Makeover--Home Edition for almost a 
year to help make this project a reality. The Manufactured Housing 
Industry of Arizona provides thousands of quality, affordable homes 
each year to Arizona residents and provides jobs for over 6,500 Arizona 
citizens in approximately 2,600 industry related businesses in Arizona.
  The Piestewa Veteran's Center will serve as a constant reminder of 
the courage and dedicated service of our Native American Veterans and 
will provide them with a special place that they can ``call their 
own.''
  Finally, I would like to commend all of the Native American 
Veterans--both past and present for their dedicated service to our 
country.
  Therefore, I am pleased to submit these remarks to the Congressional 
Record in honor of the Native American Veterans who served our country 
with distinction for decades; in appreciation to Cavco Homes for their 
generous donation of the Piestewa Veterans Center which was built by 
400 dedicated employees at their Arizona Litchfield Plant; and in 
recognition of the Manufactured Housing Industry of Arizona (MHIAZ) and 
ABC TV's Extreme Makeover--Home Edition who helped make this veteran's 
center a reality.

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