[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING JOHN MEALEY ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS FOUNDING 
        EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COACHELLA VALLEY HOUSING COALITION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2016

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, today I am honored to congratulate John Mealey 
on his retirement after 34 years of leadership in helping build 
communities and changing lives for thousands of farmworkers, service 
workers, and chronically ill residents through the Coachella Valley 
Housing Coalition (CVHC).
   In 1982, Mr. Mealey led the way with community leaders to address 
the housing needs of hundreds of low income families in the Coachella 
Valley by forming CVHC. That same year, CVHC received its first grant 
of $10,000 from Aetna Foundation and in 1986 they built the first low-
income farmworkers complex in Coachella, Ca.
   Fast-forwarding three decades--and thanks to Mr. Mealey's diligent 
work and vision--he has helped fundraise over $700 million toward 
building more than 4,500 homes and apartments for low and very low-
income residents in the Coachella Valley. Furthermore, under Mr. 
Mealey's guidance, CVHC has created home ownership opportunities from 
Palm Springs to Blythe in the 36th Congressional district. This 
translates into a dream come true for families and a better and 
brighter future for generations to come.
   In 2002, the Board of Directors and employees of the CVHC 
established the JFM College Scholarship Fund Program in honor of Mr. 
John F. Mealey. The Scholarship fund awards scholarships annually to 
students who reside in affordable housing communities developed by 
CVHC. The JFM has generated half a million in scholarship funds and 
benefitted more than 600 students.
   Mr. Mealey's extraordinary career began in Philadelphia at a 
nonprofit housing organization. Before joining CVHC in 1982, he worked 
at the Riverside Department of Housing and Community Development. Mr. 
Mealey also served as a board member on the California Coalition for 
Rural Housing, the National Rural Housing Coalition and the National 
Equity Fund.
   Amongst the numerous reputable recognitions that Mr. Mealey has 
obtained throughout his remarkable career, he recently was honored with 
the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) award. This 
distinction is presented to those individuals who demonstrate the 
lifetime achievement of leadership in rural development, building and 
sustaining an organization that benefits rural communities and has a 
regional impact.
   Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Mr. Mealey who for nearly four 
decades dedicated his time to better the lives of underserved 
communities. For his work and on behalf of the thousands of families of 
the 36th district of California, I would like to offer my sincerest 
thanks and congratulate Mr. Mealey for his exceptional commitment. I 
wish him and his wife Patricia the best on his well-deserved 
retirement.

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