[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1025-E1026]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          RICHARD C. MERRYMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, owning a home is an important part of the 
American dream. It is more than a roof over our heads; home ownership 
builds economic stability and, over the long term, creates equity to 
finance education, business startups and retirement. People with equity 
in their homes not only take greater pride in them, they also become 
more involved in their communities.
  Richard C. Merryman recently joined the nearly seventy percent of 
Americans who enjoy the satisfaction of owning their own home. Richard 
is a handicapped individual who obtained a 502 Direct loan along with a 
West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF) leveraged loan to build 
a new handicap accessible home. It was the first leveraged loan in the 
Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
  The nationally known partnership between the WVHDF and West Virginia 
Rural Development (WVRD) has provided critical gap financing for many 
homeowners who otherwise could not qualify for a homeownership loan. 
WVHDF specializes in providing affordable mortgage financing for 
residents of West Virginia, as well as financing for developers to 
rehabilitate or construct affordable apartments and subdivisions. The 
Rural Housing Programs of West Virginia work to improve the quality of 
life for rural Americans by ensuring that they have access to safe, 
well-built, affordable homes.
  Richard exemplifies the spirit and determination of those who have 
risen above significant adversity in order to achieve the dream of 
homeownership. He was previously on Social Security disability but is 
now employed as a greeter at the Wal-Mart in Martinsburg, WV. Richard 
moved into his new home in April 2006.
  I applaud Richard and the men and women who work to achieve the dream 
of homeownership and who have built better lives and greater 
opportunity for all Americans.

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