[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 40 (Thursday, March 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E408]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BILL POWERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2010

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to Bill Powers as he is 
honored with the prestigious Carino Award from the California Alliance 
for Retired Americans. A tireless advocate for seniors', renters', 
workers' rights and health care for all, Bill is more than deserving of 
this acknowledgment. On behalf of the people of Sacramento and the 
Fifth Congressional District of California, I ask that all my 
colleagues join me in honoring his service and many remarkable 
accomplishments.
  For over forty years, Bill Powers has advocated for the protection of 
the rights and lives of those whom policymakers far too often tend to 
forget. As a founding member of the California Alliance for Retired 
Americans (CARA) and as their lead volunteer lobbyist, Bill has helped 
CARA grow into a strong organization that ensures seniors and health 
care issues are at the forefront of policymakers' minds. As the lead 
volunteer advocate in Sacramento, Bill has trained and mentored dozens 
of CARA members who have followed him into advocacy.
  The Carino Award was created to honor individuals and organizations 
who have demonstrated their commitment to improving the quality of life 
for seniors and their families. Bill is most deserving of this honor as 
he has continuously gone the extra mile to improve the quality of life 
for seniors, families and working people. After retiring from the 
Western Center on Law and Poverty, Bill began volunteering with the 
Gray Panthers, Older Women's League, AARP, and the Congress of 
California Seniors before becoming a founding board member with CARA.
  Prior to his work with seniors' organizations, Bill had a passion for 
affordable housing. Before he moved to Washington, DC, Bill helped to 
build the first affordable housing development in Germantown, 
Philadelphia. While working in our nation's capital, he advocated for 
increased affordable housing at a national level by working for the 
National Housing Law Center and the Housing Assistance Council. Today, 
he continues his advocacy with the California Coalition for Rural 
Housing.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to recognize the numerous contributions 
made by Bill Powers during his lifetime of service to the people of our 
nation. Throughout his career he has worked to further causes he 
believes in and has touched many people's lives. As he enters the next 
phase in his life, and his wife Gloria; three children Anne, Susan and 
Steve; and six grandchildren, gather to celebrate his inspiring 
commitment to justice and fairness, I ask all my colleagues to join me 
in thanking my friend, Bill Powers, for his public service, and to wish 
him success in his future endeavors.

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