[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 148 (Thursday, October 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING ELIZABETH MATSUMOTO AS 2015 NONPROFIT LEADER

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                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 2015

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Elizabeth 
Matsumoto, who is honored by the Northern California Association of 
Nonprofits with the 2015 Nonprofit Leader Achievement Award, a 
recognition she richly deserves.
   Elizabeth's commitment to improving the lives of those in need in 
Humboldt County is noteworthy. Through her work with Housing Humboldt, 
she has touched numerous lives by increasing access to quality, safe, 
and affordable housing for lower and moderate-income individuals, 
families and seniors--a much-needed resource in this rural region.
   While obtaining her Environment and Community Master's degree from 
Humboldt State University, Ms. Matsumoto joined Housing Humboldt in 
2003, working on the development of the county's first community land 
trust homes. Since then she has been integral to the completion of 22 
community land trust homes, which provide a unique opportunity for 
affordable home ownership. She continues to assist with resale and 
refinancing to keep these homes affordable. Elizabeth's technical 
expertise and leadership also made it possible for Housing Humboldt to 
continue to manage and improve 105 affordable apartments throughout the 
county.
   During periods of organizational transition, Elizabeth Matsumoto 
stepped up to provide stability and guidance as interim executive 
director, development director, and now as co-executive director while 
seeing large-scale housing projects through to completion. Most 
recently, she led the development of the county's first permanent 
supportive housing complex, which opened in September to serve 
chronically homeless and extremely low income individuals, including 
supportive services such as case management to help keep people housed. 
She forged multiple partnerships and creatively leveraged millions of 
dollars in investments to bring this dream to fruition.
   In addition to her work with Housing Humboldt, Elizabeth Matsumoto 
has shared her talents with the community through the Humboldt League 
of Women Voters Board of Directors, Humboldt Tri-Kids Triathlon 
Organizing Committee, and the Community Gifts Committee for the 
Alzheimer's Center. She balances her service with being a mom to two 
young children and enjoying activities such as running, mountain 
biking, and playing soccer.
   Mr. Speaker, Elizabeth Matsumoto's commitment to improving access to 
safe and affordable housing is commendable and worthy of recognition. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in extending our congratulations to her.

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