[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 163 (Thursday, October 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ALVIN W. SMUZYNSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 25, 2007

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today on behalf of 
myself and Representative Tom Davis, my distinguished colleague from 
Virginia, to recognize the accomplishments of Alvin W. Smuzynski Jr., 
upon his retirement as President and Chief Executive Officer of Wesley 
Housing Development Corporation of Northern Virginia.
  Dedicated to increasing affordable housing in Northern Virginia, Mr. 
Smuzynski served as Commissioner on the Fairfax County Redevelopment 
and Housing Authority, and as a Board member, Board Chairman, and 
President and CEO of Wesley Housing. Having spent nearly three decades 
expanding affordable housing, making rental properties available to low 
and moderate-income families in the metropolitan area was always at the 
top of Mr. Smuzynski's agenda.
  Mr. Smuzynski led Wesley Housing admirably; he was a pioneer 
dedicated to ensuring that entire communities throughout Northern 
Virginia would have the opportunity to acquire decent, affordable 
housing. During his tenure as President and 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.
  In 1999, under the direction of Mr. Smuzynski, the Wesley Agape House 
was completed. This 12-unit apartment house for individuals and 
children living with HIV/AIDS was the first project of this type in 
Northern Virginia. His advocacy efforts were essential 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.
  Always looking to lead the way, 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. This award 
winning apartment community was selected as HAND's 2007 Best Project in 
Northern Virginia and the Accessible Design Award by the Coalition for 
Housing Opportunities In the Community for Everyone, Inc. (CHOICE) 
award.
  Truly, Mr. Smuzynski's career has left behind a legacy of 
perseverance, innovation and numerous successes. He has earned the 
reputation over the years of being the leader in providing affordable 
housing, and will long be remembered for his dedication and commitment 
to Virginians. I wish all the best to him and his family in his 
retirement.

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