[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 24, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H5977-H5979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1271) recognizing National Homeownership Month 
and the importance of homeownership in the United States.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1271

       Whereas the President of the United States has issued a 
     proclamation designating the month of June 2008 as National 
     Homeownership Month;
       Whereas the people of the United States are one of the 
     best-housed populations in the world;
       Whereas owning a home is a fundamental part of the American 
     dream and is the largest personal investment many families 
     will ever make;
       Whereas homeownership provides economic security for 
     homeowners by aiding them in building wealth over time and 
     strengthens communities through a greater stake among 
     homeowners in local schools, civic organizations, and 
     churches;
       Whereas creating affordable homeownership opportunities 
     requires the commitment and cooperation of the private, 
     public, and nonprofit sectors, including the Federal 
     Government and State and local governments;
       Whereas homeownership can be sustained through appropriate 
     homeownership education and informed borrowers; and
       Whereas affordable homeownership will play a vital role in 
     resolving the crisis in the United States housing market: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) fully supports the goals and ideals of National 
     Homeownership Month; and
       (2) recognizes the importance of homeownership in building 
     strong communities and families.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clever) and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Price) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
  The month of June is National Homeownership Month, and at a time of 
growing concern about the foreclosure crisis affecting the lives of too 
many Americans, Congress has responded with a bipartisan effort to 
revitalize the housing market.
  This year, the President, in one of the proclamations that actually I 
think spoke for most Members of this body, as well as for most 
Americans, said, ``For many Americans, owning a home represents 
freedom, independence and the American dream.''
  During National Homeownership Month, we highlight the benefits of 
owning a home and encourage our fellow citizens to be responsible 
homeowners. It is difficult to be a responsible homeowner at this time 
because foreclosure filings last month went up nearly 50 percent 
compared with a year earlier. Nationwide, this is unbelievable. 261,255 
homeowners received at least one foreclosure-related filing in May. 
That is up 48 percent from the same month last year, and up 7 percent 
from April. Last week, the Mortgage

[[Page H5978]]

Bankers Association reported that about 2.5 percent of home mortgages 
were in foreclosure during the first quarter of this year, almost 
double the rate of a year earlier.
  I was reading an article in the June 19 Washington Post which 
suggests that 6.5 million loans will fall into foreclosure within the 
next 5 years; 6.5 million loans. That means that 8 percent of all 
homeowners in the United States will be impacted directly. That does 
not count the people who live on the block where a home is foreclosed, 
and in the urban core, anywhere around the country, that spells 
disaster, because you will have a rundown property in an area that is 
already undervalued by those who make declarations about the value of 
property.
  Nearly 74,000 properties were repossessed by lenders nationwide just 
in May, while more than 58,000 received default notices. That is 
according to the New York Times, June 14 of this year.
  As a person who did not live in a real home until he was 14, I can 
speak I think very clearly about the value of homeownership. I lived in 
a house in Waxahachie, Texas, from the time I was born until I was 
eight that had no running water, no electricity, no indoor plumbing. My 
mother, father, three sisters and I lived in this shanty, which at one 
time served as slave quarters.
  We were able to move out of that when I was eight. We moved into 
public housing. We lived in public housing until my father, working 
about three jobs, sometimes four at the same time, could buy his own 
home. He bought a home in a white neighborhood, and so he had to have 
it moved to the black neighborhood.
  That home meant everything to the six Cleavers who lived in it. It 
meant so much that my father had converted this home into a palace that 
we considered having been blessed to live in. His lawn can be compared 
with the lawn of anybody in the country, and some of the neighbors even 
make fun of him because if you drop a cigarette butt or a piece of 
paper on the street anywhere near his home, it gets picked up.
  Homeownership is valuable, and it does grant us a piece of the 
American dream. But for many Americans, the American dream has become a 
nightmare. The subprime lending crisis has devastated communities, but 
let us not forget it has devastated individuals. 705,446 homes will 
suffer price declines due to foreclosures nearby.
  Mr. Speaker, tonight we lift up the value of homeownership, but we do 
so with a commitment to do everything that we can possibly do to impact 
the climate so that we can turn things around from the destructive way 
in which this Nation is suffering.
  The month of June is National Homeownership Month. At a time of 
growing concern about the foreclosure crisis affecting the lives of too 
many Americans, Congress has responded with a bipartisan effort to 
revitalize the housing market. This year the President proclaimed, 
``For many Americans, owning a home represents freedom, independence, 
and the American dream. During National Homeownership Month, we 
highlight the benefits of owning a home and encourage our fellow 
citizens to be responsible homeowners.''
  ``Foreclosure filings last month were up nearly 50 percent compared 
with a year earlier, according to one company's count released 
yesterday.'' [Washington Post, June 19, 2008].
  ``Nationwide, 261,255 homeowners received at least one foreclosure-
related filing in May, up 48 percent from the same month last year, and 
up 7 percent from April, foreclosure listing service RealtyTrac said.'' 
[Washington Post, June 19, 2008].
  ``Last week the Mortgage Bankers Association reported that about 2.47 
percent of home mortgages were in foreclosure during the first quarter 
of the year, almost double the 1.28 percent rate of a year earlier, and 
the highest point since the group began compiling such figures in 
1979.'' [Washington Post, June 19, 2008].
  ``A Credit Suisse report this spring predicted that 6.5 million loans 
will fall into foreclosure over the next five years, reaching more than 
8 percent of all U.S. homes.'' [Washington Post, June 19, 2008].
  ``According to the RealtyTrac report, one in every 483 U.S. 
households received a foreclosure filing in May, the highest number 
since RealtyTrac started the report in 2005 and the second straight 
monthly record.'' [Washington Post, June 19, 2008].
  ``Nearly 74,000 properties were repossessed by lenders nationwide in 
May, while more than 58,000 received default notices, the company 
said.'' [New York Times, June 14, 2008].
  At the end of the first quarter of 2008, there were an estimated 1.27 
million properties in foreclosure in the United States. In addition, 
there were approximately 350,000 subprime mortgages more than 90 days 
delinquent where foreclosure proceedings had not yet begun.
  The Center for Responsible Lending offers the following statistics 
for Missouri: 42,727 foreclosures predicted for 2008-2009; 705,446 
homes will suffer price declines due to foreclosures nearby; a $1.8 
billion in home values/tax base; and $2,540 average decrease in home 
value per unit affected.
  ``The Federal Housing Administration expects to lose $4.6 billion 
because of unexpectedly high default rates on home loans.'' [New York 
Times, June 10, 2008].
  ``One study estimates that in just 10 states (AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MA, 
MI, MN, NV, NY), lost tax revenue in 2008 will total $6.6 billion due 
to foreclosures.'' [Global Insight, The Mortgage Crisis: Economic and 
Fiscal Implications for Metro Areas, November, 2007].
  ``Further, an estimated 524,000 fewer jobs are projected to be 
created this year because of the foreclosure crisis.'' [Global Insight, 
The Mortgage Crisis: Economic and Fiscal Implications for Metro Areas, 
November, 2007].
  Initiatives to help responsible homeowners keep their homes have been 
launched. The Federal Housing Administration has created the FHASecure 
program so that flexibility in refinancing mortgages for homeowners who 
have good credit histories but cannot afford their current payments is 
just one solution. Furthermore, the HOPE NOW Alliance connects 
struggling homeowners with lenders, loan servicers, and mortgage 
counselors to help families stay in their homes.
  67.8 percent of Americans own their own homes [Census Bureau].
  72.0 percent of Midwesterners own their own homes (the highest 
percentage in the nation) [Census Bureau].
  With an increase in age, comes an increase in homeownership. 
Americans view homeownership as a mark of success, and as proof that 
they have at least begun to realize the American dream. The purchase of 
a first home is a symbol of stability, and often acts as a monument to 
family life, which is the cornerstone of our culture.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Representative Gary Miller to 
recognize the importance of homeownership in America and to commend him 
on his resolution.
  On May 29, 2008, President Bush designated June as Homeownership 
Month, as he has done for the past 7 years. To complement this 
designation, this resolution, H. Res. 1271, provides congressional 
recognition of National Homeownership Month and the importance of 
homeownership in the United States.
  Owning a home is a fundamental part of the American dream and is the 
largest personal investment most families will ever make. For millions 
of families across this country, a home is more than just a symbol of 
the American dream. It is the backbone of the American way of life.

                              {time}  2000

  Despite all that's occurring in the housing market, we need to 
remember that homeownership has historically been the single largest 
creator of wealth for most Americans. Not only does homeownership 
provide economic security by building wealth over time; it also 
strengthens and builds communities. Affordable housing is vital to 
resolving the current crisis the United States' housing market has in 
preserving homeownership.
  National Homeownership Month is a reminder of the importance of 
housing issues in America. This bipartisan resolution, 1271, recognizes 
the need for National Homeownership Month and for the overall 
importance of homeownership in America.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to 
reinforce our commitment to housing opportunities and to help guarantee 
the dream of homeownership for more American families.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I have no more requests for speakers. If 
the gentleman from Georgia cares to bring another speaker at this time, 
I would reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. I thank my friend for his comments earlier.
  I want to, once again, commend Representative Miller for his 
resolution. I

[[Page H5979]]

think it's important in the context of this discussion, however, to 
make certain that the Nation understands and that our colleagues 
appreciate that much work has been done to make certain that 
individuals are able to remain in their homes. There are remarkable 
programs that have helped, literally, millions of Americans remain in 
their homes, programs that we strongly support and encourage the 
expansion of.
  So I want to, once again, commend my friend from California for 
introducing this resolution, and I want to thank my friend for his 
comments.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, the importance of homeownership can't be 
underestimated. That's why I support H. Res. 1271, a bill to recognize 
National Homeownership Month and the importance of homeownership in the 
United States.
  For most Americans, homeownership represents security for themselves 
and their families. Unfortunately in recent months, homeownership (a 
cornerstone of the American Dream) has been tarnished by an 
unscrupulous mortgage industry that has trapped far too many families 
into paying for homes they can't afford. In my district, all over 
California, and across the country, we are seeing family after family 
fall into foreclosure, as their dreams turn to dust, and they hand over 
their prize possession to the bank.
  So, as we consider this bill in support of homeownership, I think 
it's important that we also don't forget the homeowner . . . those 
past, present and future, who need the assistance of this Congress to 
ensure they get a fair deal.
  Mr. Speaker, it's my hope that those who vote in favor of this bill, 
H. Res. 1271, will also join in passing real housing reform to bring 
about systemic changes to help more Americans be able to achieve the 
goal of owning their own home, on fair terms, at affordable prices.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 
1271, Recognizing National Homeownership Month and the importance of 
homeownership in the United States, introduced by my distinguished 
colleague from California, Representative Gary Miller. This timely 
legislation helps to highlight the importance of ownership by 
recognizing homeowners in the United States.
  This legislation recognizes June 2008 as National Homeownership 
Month. We should be very proud that the people of the United States are 
one of the best-housed populations in the world. This phenomenon has 
evolved because we are anchored in the belief that owning a home is a 
fundamental part of the American dream and is the largest personal 
investment many families will ever make. Homeownership provides 
economic security for homeowners by aiding them in building wealth over 
time and strengthens communities through a greater stake among 
homeowners in local schools, civic organizations, and churches. 
Creating affordable homeownership opportunities requires the commitment 
and cooperation of the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, 
including the Federal Government and State and local governments. In 
2007, Texas ranked fourth behind California, Florida, and Illinois in 
pre-foreclosures. Last year, Texas held the top seat for active 
foreclosures.
  This is why it is important that we reaffirm that homeownership can 
be sustained through appropriate homeownership education and informed 
borrowers. Affordable homeownership and maintaining the confidence and 
morale of current homeowners will play a vital role in resolving the 
crisis in the United States housing market: Now, therefore, I fully 
support the goals and ideals of National Homeownership Month, and I 
recognize the importance of homeownership in building strong 
communities and families.
  H. Res. 1271 recognizes homeowners and only homeowners, not 
speculators or lenders. This legislation reminds us that we cannot 
continue to stand by as the housing market continues to deteriorate. 
U.S. home prices tumbled in April at the fastest rate since a widely-
followed index was begun in 2000 with all 20 metropolitan areas posting 
annual declines for the first time. Texas reported 13,829 properties 
entering some stage of foreclosure in April, a 16 percent increase from 
the previous month and the most foreclosure filings reported by any 
state. The state documented the nation's third highest state combined 
foreclosure rate--one foreclosure filing for every 582 households.
  Many homeowners in my district are worried about missing their next 
house payment or their next home equity mortgage, or their interest 
rate going up. These families are under stress and in constant fear of 
loosing their homes.
  This bill should not be the last word in housing legislation nor 
should it be restricted to the status of symbolic rhetoric. The 
American people need us to intervene in this housing crisis that is 
leaving many undeserving families homeless. This bill coupled with 
Congresswoman Maxine Waters' bill, H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood 
Stabilization Act, provides a good starting point in providing 
Americans with relief. We must never forget that many of the New Deal 
programs under President Roosevelt were considered bailouts at that 
time. And yet, these programs brought our country out of the 
Depression, rejuvenated our economy, and gave hope as we sought to deal 
with the War overseas.
  We are spending billions of dollars on the war in Iraq. I support our 
troops but I am dismayed at how our support for a war that needs to 
become less military and more diplomatic in nature, has disrupted our 
ability to take care of things at home. Thank you Madam Speaker for 
your leadership in this area, I urge my colleagues to support 
recognizing American homeowners by supporting H.R. 1271.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and so I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1271.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground 
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum 
is not present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

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