[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE WORK OF THE REBUILDING TOGETHER SOUTH SOUND ORGANIZATION 
                          IN WASHINGTON STATE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
Rebuilding Together organization in their efforts to improve the lives 
of American homeowners with the greatest need, and help to ensure they 
have a safe and healthy place to call home.
  Established in 1988, Rebuilding Together currently maintains over 200 
active affiliates nationwide and works with more than 200,000 
volunteers to rehabilitate 10,000 homes and community centers each 
year. The homeowners that Rebuilding Together serves include the 
elderly, disabled, veterans, and families displaced by natural 
disasters.
  Rebuilding Together is the Nation's largest domestic housing 
organization that works to preserve homeownership and revitalize 
communities in a cost-effective manner by providing critical home 
repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy saving upgrades all at 
no charge to America's low-income homeowners. With the support of large 
volunteer teams, major corporations, and other contributors, Rebuilding 
Together leverages each dollar donated into an average of four dollars 
in added market value invested into the low-income homes they serve.
  In a time of widespread housing challenges and economic turmoil, 
Rebuilding Together's work allows the residents it serves to remain and 
live safely in their own homes. Rebuilding Together's efforts help 
prevent homeowners from losing their homes and help homeowners maintain 
their independence and retain what is in many cases their most 
significant asset of personal savings and intergenerational wealth. 
These efforts also help to support neighborhoods and keep communities 
from losing residents and experiencing declines in real estate value.
  This weekend, I will have the pleasure of joining volunteers and 
Rebuilding Together South Sound in Washington State as they hold their 
annual Rebuilding Day. I look forward to supporting their work and 
helping to achieve their important goals.
  With the help of community partners, corporate sponsors, and 
political leadership, Rebuilding Together makes it possible for 
thousands of Americans to thrive in their own homes and live in healthy 
communities. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Rebuilding 
Together for their efforts to ensure proper housing for veterans, 
senior citizens, the disabled, and displaced families in Washington and 
throughout the United States.

                          ____________________