[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 152 (Friday, September 20, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1190-E1191]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FLORES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 20, 2019

  Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Bryan-
College Station Habitat for Humanity, which is celebrating its 30th 
anniversary this year.
  The Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1989 
when a Texas

[[Page E1191]]

A&M University college student named Heather Hilton came across a 
brochure and wondered why there was no locally run affiliate of Habitat 
for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing 
organization. Heather contacted other pillars of the community who also 
noticed the lack of affordable housing in the Brazos Valley. Since its 
subsequent formation, the Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity 
has continued its mission of putting God's love into action by building 
homes, communities, and hope in Brazos County, Texas.
  In 1990, Victor and Amelia Gonzalez purchased the first home built by 
Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity. This opportunity allowed 
them and their three children to move out of their small trailer with 
no heating or cooling and a large hole in the floor. In 2012, they paid 
off their mortgage on the home. The Gonzalez family is just one example 
of the more than 1,000 people the Bryan-College Station Habitat for 
Humanity has helped in their 30 years of existence.
  The Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity has served 456 adults 
and 816 children by providing homeownership opportunities to 
individuals and families who earn between 35 and 80 percent of the 
area's median income. This past August, the Bryan-College Station 
Habitat for Humanity raised the walls of its 298th home, and will reach 
its 300th home milestone this year.
  The Bryan-College Station Habitat for Humanity is able to provide 
these opportunities to those in need through financial donations, 
volunteer labor, efficient building methods, standardized designs, and 
zero interest loans. Over 70 percent of the land and construction costs 
come from the generous donations from businesses, individuals, and 
other private sources. Other costs are covered by mortgage payments of 
the existing Habitat for Humanity homeowners and revenue from the 
Bryan-College Station ReStore which opened in 1995 selling building 
supplies, furniture, appliances, and home decor.
  In addition to constructing new homes, the Bryan-College Station 
Habitat for Humanity has also started a Community Home Repair program 
to serve low-income residents. Since the program's inception in 2015, 
it has served another 209 homeowners in the Brazos Valley.
  The work Habitat for Humanity does is vital to the success of 
families in the Brazos Valley. A 2018 study conducted by the Bush 
School of Government and Public Service found that families in Habitat 
homes visit the doctor less for mold related illnesses, the children 
have increased performance in school, and parents are more confident in 
funding their children's education. The Bryan-College Station Habitat 
for Humanity does more than build and repair homes; they bring people 
from all walks of life together to work toward a common goal: 
demonstrating God's love by giving a hand up to those in need of 
decent, affordable places to live.
  Madam Speaker, it is clear that the Bryan-College Station Habitat for 
Humanity has had a large and positive impact on the Brazos Valley in 
their 30 years of operation. I congratulate them on reaching this 
milestone and I look forward to seeing their continued success.
  As I close today, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our 
country, for our veterans, for our military men and women who protect 
us, and for our first responders who keep us safe at home.

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