[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 35 (Monday, March 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S2412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING DARLYS J. BAUM

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate 
Darlys J. Baum on her retirement from the South Dakota Housing 
Development Authority after 30 years of dedicated service to our State. 
Dar has served under six South Dakota Governors. Prior to being named 
executive director in 1995, Dar served as deputy executive director for 
11 years. Before that, she served in various capacities, including 
director of rental housing programs.
  In addition to her duties as executive director, Dar found the time 
to bring South Dakota's rural housing perspective to regional and 
national boards. She served as a member of Fannie Mae's National 
Housing Impact Advisory Council from 2002-2003 and as a member of the 
Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines from 
2002-2004.
  Under Dar's leadership, the South Dakota Housing Development 
Authority issued nearly $2.27 billion in long-term and $1.95 billion in 
short-term home ownership bonds. During this time, 23,869 families and 
individuals took advantage of SDHDA's low-interest mortgage loan 
opportunities, accounting for more than $1.8 billion in loans 
purchased. Additionally, more than $12.8 million was loaned to 7,602 
families for downpayment and closing cost assistance.
  Working with lenders, service providers, and realtors, Dar helped 
create the Homeownership Education Resource Organization, HERO, to 
provide high-quality home buyer education. Pursuing the American dream 
of homeownership can be a daunting challenge for many families, and 
home buyer education services can help walk these families through the 
home buying process.
  Since Dar became executive director, SDHDA allocated more than $16.4 
million in housing tax credits for 89 developments across South Dakota. 
Nearly 3,300 affordable housing units were created or preserved, 
totaling more than $242 million in project costs.
  During that same time, SDHDA used the HOME Investment Partnership 
Program for 939 HOME-assisted units in 88 multifamily developments, 
receiving more than $39 million in funding for construction or 
rehabilitation. Also, more than $1.6 million in HOME funding was 
utilized for homeownership rehabilitation in 222 homes. Total 
development costs contributed to South Dakota's economy from the HOME 
Program were more than $102 million during Dar's tenure as executive 
director.
  Dar was instrumental in helping lead the charge to end homelessness 
in South Dakota. She helped form the statewide Housing for the Homeless 
Consortium and the Governor's Interagency Council on Homelessness. 
These organizations were created to unite those who work to provide 
shelter, employment opportunities, food, education, health care, and 
support for those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 
Since its creation, the Housing for the Homeless Consortium has been 
awarded about $6.5 million through the Continuum of Care Grant Program, 
which is a competitive grant program administered through the U.S. 
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  As you can see, under Dar's extraordinary leadership, the South 
Dakota Housing Development Authority has done an impressive amount of 
work on South Dakota's housing needs. I, again, want to thank Dar for 
her tireless efforts to improve the housing opportunities available to 
South Dakota families. My staff and I have always highly valued her 
advice on so many important housing issues. Dar has a unique ability to 
generate creative solutions and bring people together in partnerships 
that solve so many critical housing problems. Dar Baum's commitment and 
dedication to public service is an example for others in public service 
to emulate.

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