[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 79 (Monday, May 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3714-H3715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF MANUFACTURED AND MODULAR HOUSING
Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 584) recognizing the importance of
manufactured and modular housing in the United States.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 584
Whereas manufactured and modular housing play a vital role
in meeting the housing needs of the people of the United
States and are an important source of quality, affordable
housing, including both homeownership and rental housing;
Whereas the manufactured and modular housing industries in
the United States have approximately $6,000,000,000 annually
in sales and employ approximately 70,000 people in factories
and retail centers alone;
Whereas 18,000,000 people in the United States,
representing all segments of the population, including
emerging demographics, live in manufactured or modular homes;
Whereas because they are important sources of affordable
housing, manufactured and modular housing are a critical part
of the solution to the ongoing crisis in the housing market
in this Nation;
Whereas the factory production process provides
manufactured and modular housing with technological
advantages, value, and customization options for consumers
seeking quality housing and sustainable homeownership;
Whereas manufactured homes are built to a national standard
under the National Manufactured Housing Construction and
Safety Standards Act of 1974, which governs construction,
engineering, quality, safety, and systems performance;
Whereas that Act supports innovation, consumer safety,
efficiency, and quality while preserving the affordability
and customization of manufactured housing;
Whereas creating affordable homeownership opportunities
helps build communities and requires the cooperation of the
private and public sectors, including the Federal Government
and State and local governments;
Whereas the laws of the United States, such as the
Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000, encourage
manufactured housing homeownership and should continue to do
so in the future;
Whereas June is designated as National Homeownership Month;
and
Whereas the third week of June is recognized as
Manufactured and Modular Housing Week: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the importance of manufactured and modular
housing in providing decent, sustainable, and affordable
housing;
(2) recognizes the importance of manufactured and modular
housing in contributing to homeownership in the United
States;
(3) recognizes the importance of homeownership, including
homeownership of manufactured and modular homes, in building
strong communities and families; and
(4) recognizes and fully supports the goals and ideals of
Manufactured and Modular Housing Week and National
Homeownership Month.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) and the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Wilson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.
General Leave
Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam 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 Indiana?
There was no objection.
Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, today I rise in strong support of House Resolution
584, a resolution honoring the importance of manufactured housing to
our country. As we celebrate home ownership during the month of June,
we also honor the third week of June as ``Manufactured Housing Week.''
This recognizes that manufactured homes offer hardworking American
families the option to purchase quality homes at an affordable price.
This $8 billion-a-year industry provides jobs for people not only in
the Second district of Indiana, which I am proud to represent, but
throughout.
More than 18 million people live in over 10\1/2\ million manufactured
homes. I have seen firsthand how these homes have continued a tradition
of quality and safe construction over the years. They present the high
quality, affordable housing option for all families.
Madam Speaker, manufactured housing has come a long way over the
years, and people can often not tell the difference between a modular
home and a site-built home. Manufactured homes have a factory
production process which provides technological advantages, value, and
customization options for consumers seeking quality housing and
sustainable home ownership.
Additionally, manufactured homes are built to a national standard
under
[[Page H3715]]
the HUD Code, which governs the construction, engineering, quality,
safety, and systems performance. The HUD Code supports innovation,
consumer safety, efficiency, and quality while preserving manufactured
housing's affordability and customization.
We have all witnessed the ongoing turmoil in the housing market. I
believe it is essential that we look to affordable manufactured housing
as a viable solution to this problem. Creating affordable home
ownership is one of the building blocks of our society and it plays a
fundamental role in achieving the American Dream. It helps to provide
families with economic security and build strong communities.
I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 584.
Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, today I rise in support
of House Resolution 584, recognizing the importance of manufactured and
modular housing in the United States.
Manufactured housing is a good source of affordable housing in this
country not only for home ownership but for rental housing as well.
Currently, the manufactured housing and modular housing industries
generate over $6 billion in annual revenues and employ over 70,000
people. As a result of this extensive industry, approximately 18
million people in the United States, representing all segments of the
population, live in manufactured or modular homes.
I was educated on the importance of manufactured housing in South
Carolina by Tom Lloyd of the Manufactured Housing Association. I know
firsthand of the housing opportunities made possible by Leonard Sanford
in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Manufactured and modular housing provides a critical solution to our
country's supply of affordable housing. And due to the factory
production process involved, manufactured and modular housing brings
technological advances, value, and customization options for consumers
seeking quality housing and sustainable home ownership.
The legislation before us recognizes and fully supports the goals and
ideals of Manufactured Housing Week, and I urge my colleagues to
support the resolution.
Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests
for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Donnelly) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 584.
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. DONNELLY of Indiana. Madam 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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