[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ALVIN W. SMUZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Madam Speaker, on behalf of myself and 
Representative Jim Moran, I rise today to recognize Alvin W. Smuzynski, 
Jr., recently retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Wesley 
Housing Development Corporation of Northern Virginia.
  We are all aware of the national affordable housing problem that is 
especially acute in Washington and other metropolitan areas. Low and 
moderate rental properties are out of reach for scores of our most 
vulnerable citizens. For nearly three decades, Mr. Smuzynski used his 
time and talent to increase affordable housing in northern Virginia--as 
a Commissioner on the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing 
Authority; as a volunteer for Wesley Housing Development Corporation; 
as a Board member; Board Chairman; and as President/CEO of Wesley 
Housing.
  True to its mission, Wesley Housing, under Mr. Smuzynski's leadership 
for the last 9 years, pioneered affordable housing solutions that have 
stabilized and strengthened families, neighborhoods, and entire 
communities throughout northern Virginia. During his tenure as 
President/CEO, more than half of the organization's 1,267 units were 
built or acquired. Under his leadership, Wesley Housing achieved the 
Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers' (HAND) 2006 Developer of 
the Year Award and Leadership Fairfax's Regional Leadership Award.
  Mr. Smuzynski forged ahead on innovative projects. He built northern 
Virginia's only barrier-free apartment community for low-income, 
severely physically disabled individuals--the 22-unit Coppermine Place 
I in Herndon--selected as HAND's 2007 Best Project in northern 
Virginia. The project was awarded the first Accessible Design Award by 
the Coalition for Housing Opportunities In the Community for Everyone, 
Inc. (CHOICE).
  In 1999, Mr. Smuzynski completed Wesley Agape House, a 12-unit 
apartment house for individuals and children living with HIV/AIDS--the 
first project of this type in northern Virginia. Mr. Smuzynski's 
advocacy efforts were vital to establishing a non-competitive tax 
credit pool for preservation projects in northern Virginia. In 2005, 
his work with the Washington Metro Bankers' northern Virginia 
Affordable Housing Alliance resulted in the establishment of Fairfax 
County's innovative ``Penny for Housing Fund.'' The trust fund supports 
preservation and development of affordable housing. Even in retirement, 
he continues to work with other counties in northern Virginia to 
establish affordable housing programs and funding sources. For these 
efforts, Mr. Smuzynski was inducted into the Virginia Housing 
Coalition's Affordable Housing Hall of Fame.
  Madam Speaker, in closing, I would like to thank Alvin Smuzynski for 
his selfless commitment to meeting his community's needs. His legacy of 
growth, perseverance, and innovation was built on his dedication to 
balancing northern Virginia's housing needs. I call upon my colleagues 
to join me on commending him for his past success and wishing him the 
best of luck in all future endeavors.

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