[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING JOHN LOWRY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2012

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague Rep. Mike 
Thompson to recognize the outstanding career of John Lowry. John is 
retiring after 28 years of service with Burbank Housing. His 
inspirational leadership in providing affordable housing in Sonoma 
County, California has given thousands of disadvantaged and low-income 
Sonoma County residents a place they can call home.
  Originally from New York City, John graduated from New York 
University and holds BA and MA degrees with majors in economics, 
politics and history. He later decided to obtain a general contractors 
license and build his own home. This sparked his interest in self-help 
housing, which he would later incorporate into Burbank Housing's 
Homeownership Program.
  John began his career of providing affordable housing to Sonoma 
County California as a project manager on Burbank's first two projects. 
He was their second employee. Under John's leadership, the non-profit 
has grown to 140 employees who build, manage and maintain 2,700 
affordable rental units as well as helping another 750 families own 
their homes.
  John's work has been lauded by his peers, including being named an 
Inspirational Non-Profit Leader. The Sonoma County Housing Coalition 
has honored him with both their Lifetime Achievement Award and their 
Housing Hero Award.
  John also serves our community by working with the California 
Coalition for Rural Housing and the Home Builders Association of 
Northern California. He has served on the board of Nonprofit Housing 
Association of Northern California as well.
  In retirement, John plans to continue working to influence state and 
local housing policies. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time 
that we thank John Lowry for his many years of service on behalf of the 
people of Sonoma County. He has worked tirelessly to demonstrate his 
unwavering belief that low-income people of all ages, backgrounds and 
special needs deserve to live in decent, affordable housing. For this, 
he deserves our appreciation.

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