[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 174 (Friday, November 1, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN RECOGNITION OF TRAVOIS, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 1, 2019

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my esteemed 
colleague, Rep. Sharice Davids, of Kansas City, Kansas to recognize 
Travois, Inc., a Certified B Corporation headquartered in Kansas City, 
that has been named a ``Best For The World'' honoree by B Lab. Travois 
focuses exclusively on promoting housing and economic development for 
American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. We are 
proud to have this socially and environmentally conscious company in 
the Kansas City metro region.
  Since its establishment in 1995, Travois has generated $1.4 billion 
in housing and economic development in American Indian, Alaska Native, 
and Native Hawaiian communities, helping clients build or rehabilitate 
more than 5,400 affordable homes. The company has brought more than 
$800 million in private investor equity to more than 200 developments 
in Indian Country. Travois raises capital for this purpose through the 
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, the New Markets Tax Credit 
program, and through impact investors.
  Travois' work promotes public benefits, is designed to solve social-
and environmental issues, creates economic opportunity for individuals 
and communities, and focuses on underserved populations. The company 
also finances critical economic development projects, including 
infrastructure, healthcare, community centers, education facilities, 
and senior living centers in 22 states. Additionally, it provides 
employee benefits like on-site daycare and uses an extensive renewable 
energy system of rooftop solar panels to power its headquarters 
building.
  Travois has been honored in two categories of Best For the World: 
Overall and Customers. It earned recognition as Best for the World: 
Overall due to its rank in the top 10 percent of all B Corporations 
worldwide across all six impact areas--environment, workforce, local 
communities, supplies, customers, and corporate governance. It is one 
of only 119 U.S. companies that were recognized with this honorary 
designation and is the only Missouri-based company in this category.
  The Best For the World recognition is administered by the global 
nonprofit B Lab, which certifies and supports Certified B Corporations 
that are dedicated to using business as a force for good. The 3,000 B 
Corporations are spread across 64 countries and 150 industries, unified 
by the common goal of redefining success in business. These 
corporations, including Travois, meet the highest standards of verified 
social and environmental performance and are assessed by the overall 
positive impact of their business model.
  Madam Speaker, please join Rep. Davids and myself in congratulating 
Travois, Inc. for being awarded as a Certified B Corporation Best For 
The World 2019 honoree. Travois' outstanding achievement and dedication 
to sustainability and social justice are truly admirable, and we are 
privileged to have such an organization in our Kansas City region.

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