[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 155 (Tuesday, December 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E2450]]
               ACKNOWLEDGING THE SERVICE OF MR. JIM DION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2005

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, at the complicated intersection of 
housing, poverty and community development issues, one man has shined 
as a guiding light. Mr. Jim Dion, assistant executive director for 
Housing Operations at the King County Housing Authority, has devoted 
his life to ensuring that our low-income neighbors--be they families, 
victims of domestic violence, seniors or people with disabilities--live 
in high quality affordable housing. After three decades of 
distinguished public service in King County, WA, Mr. Dion is about to 
retire. He is a living testament to the power that a single individual 
possesses to help provide quality affordable housing opportunities, 
build communities, encourage self-sufficiency and protect the dignity 
of people with limited resources, while safeguarding the public trust.
  The child of a minister father and a social worker mother, Mr. Dion 
undoubtedly acquired a keen sense of public service from an early age. 
Perhaps that explains his rise through. the ranks from a property 
manager overseeing 700 units of family and elderly public housing in 
1974 to a senior executive currently administering more than 4,300 
units of housing as well as rental subsidies for 8,200 additional 
households.
  During his career, Mr. Dion expanded the housing safety net in King 
County through a number of additional Federal and local programs and by 
partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide on-site services to 
residents.
  Mr. Dion also worked diligently to promote acceptance of low-income 
housing in several high-cost suburban cities such as Bellevue, Redmond, 
and Kirkland, areas of the county with excellent job bases. Mr. Dion's 
involvement in this initiative, along with the well-managed, well-
maintained housing he oversaw, paved the way for favorable community 
response to low-income housing in affluent areas and continues to 
ensure that living in these cities is a viable option for struggling 
families.
  While administering housing for more than 12,500 households is a 
staggering enough accomplishment in itself, Mr. Dion did so as a model 
of efficiency and effectiveness. Since HUD has had an evaluation 
process in effect, Mr. Dion led his staff to achieve HUD's highest 
ratings for both KCHA's section 8 and public housing programs, 
reflecting his hard work and his commitment to the families and 
individuals he served.
  Awards from industry housing organizations for KCHA programs and 
properties under Mr. Dion's jurisdiction have been practically 
commonplace.
  Mr. Dion also tackled issues beyond the scope of ``bricks and 
sticks.'' With his strong belief in the ability of people to overcome 
difficult circumstances with appropriate support, Mr. Dion is credited 
for laying the foundation of what is now the Resident Services 
Department at the housing authority.
  Mr. Dion's commitment to public service did not stop with King 
County. For most of his 30-year career, he has also been an active 
member of the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment 
Officials, serving on its Housing Committee and its Board of Governors 
at the national level, as well as in various positions of leadership at 
the regional and chapter levels. His unparalleled grasp of the 
regulatory process made him a truly respected voice on Capitol Hill.
  Home is where we raise our children. Home is where we hope to age in 
the company of our friends and family. Home is where vulnerable 
individuals and families can maintain their dignity and gain a foothold 
in self-sufficiency. Through Mr. Dion's thoughtful, compassionate 
leadership, thousands of people have improved the quality of their 
lives because they had a good, safe home.
  As the sun sets on his career, it is only fitting that we acknowledge 
the 30 extraordinary years of Mr. Dion's dedicated public service. My 
sincere congratulations to Mr. Dion, whose calm, reasoned approach to 
ensuring quality housing and services for our most vulnerable residents 
has forever instilled in his colleagues at the King County Housing 
Authority and in Washington's congressional delegation the importance 
of providing the best possible support to families and individuals in 
need. He leaves a legacy of hard work, compassion and high standards 
that serves as an example to us all.

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