[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 58 (Wednesday, April 3, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING HERBERT FRANCIS COLLINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 3, 2019

  Mr. NEAL. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to Herbert Francis Collins, a giant in the affordable housing 
industry and champion for a cause that would become his enduring 
professional legacy. Herb passed away at the age of 89 on March 30, 
2019, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.
  Born on March 17, 1930, Herb was raised in Medford, Massachusetts in 
a single-parent household with his mother and three siblings. He worked 
numerous jobs to help support his family, but still excelled in school. 
He played football and ran track at Medford High School, earning a 
track and field athletic scholarship to Harvard University, where he 
graduated in 1955. While living in Cambridge, Herb met Sheila Sellew, 
the love of his life and future wife of 57 years. Following graduation, 
Herb served in the Marine Corps, and then returned to Massachusetts 
with his young family to settle in Sheila's hometown of Gloucester.
  Early on, Herb held a variety of sales and marketing positions in the 
defense and electronics industry. At age 44, Herb entered into a new 
industry co-founding Boston Capital, Inc. in 1974. From the humble 
beginnings of a one-room operation, Herb and his partner Jack Manning 
built Boston Capital into one of the nation's top real estate firms 
focused on providing affordable housing.
  Herb strongly believed access to safe and affordable housing would 
provide benefits far beyond simply providing shelter, including 
facilitating employment opportunities and greater economic mobility for 
low-income residents. In 1986, Herb was a tireless advocate in passing 
the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program--he also championed making it 
permanent in 1993.
  Above all, Herb was most proud of and derived the greatest joy from 
his family. He was a steadfast source of support for his children and 
grandchildren, and instilled in them the value of hard work, kindness, 
and humility.
  Herb was and will forever be an inspiration to his family, 
colleagues, and the countless number of families that, through Herb's 
vision and leadership, live in quality affordable housing.

                          ____________________