[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 5, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING JOE W. HATFIELD'S INDUCTION INTO THE WEST VIRGINIA AFFORDABLE 
                          HOUSING HALL OF FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 5, 2010

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Joe W. Hatfield, 
Executive Director of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund, who 
is very deservedly being inducted into the 2010 West Virginia 
Affordable Housing Hall of Fame.
  Joe has worked for the West Virginia Housing Development Fund since 
1968, serving as its Executive Director since 1980. Joe has expanded 
the agency during that time to reach all 55 counties of the State with 
affordable housing programs, economic development initiatives and 
supportive housing services for West Virginians affected by flooding.
  Realizing that one size does not fit all in the world of mortgage 
finance, Joe has created numerous mortgage programs that serve 
residents of all incomes. Joe has made it a goal to work with banks and 
housing partners all over the State so that borrowers in rural, harder 
to serve areas also have access to affordable housing programs.
  Since its inception in 1970, the Housing Development Fund has sold 
more than $3 billion in tax-exempt bonds to finance more than 104,000 
housing units. Under Joe's leadership, the Housing Development Fund has 
consistently been rated as one of the strongest in the Nation. As a 
testament to responsible lending, the West Virginia Housing Development 
Fund did not experience the great tide of foreclosures over the past 
two years as other loan servicers in this critical economic time.
  Joe is a member of the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs 
Development Council, West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust, past Chairman 
of the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Board, West Virginia Homeless 
Task Force, the West Virginia Affordable Housing Trust, The West 
Virginia Housing Policy Advisory Committee and is a past Board Member 
of the National Council of State Housing Finance Agencies, who honored 
him in 1996 with its Housing Leadership Award at its Annual convention. 
Based on his experience and success, Joe is considered an icon among 
his peers in the housing industry.
  Joe is a West Virginian through and through. He is a native of 
Newtown in Mingo County, West Virginia, and a graduate of Concord 
College in Athens, WV. Joe is married to Barbara and is the father of 
three children and eight grandchildren.
  It is easy to understand why Joe is being honored by the West 
Virginia Affordable Housing Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Joe on this 
honor which is long overdue. Thank you for all of your hard work and 
dedication to providing safe, decent, affordable housing to West 
Virginians.

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