[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                          HONORING CHUCK FOWKE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2022

  Mr. C. SCOTT FRANKLIN of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
honor one of my constituents, Mr. Chuck Fowke, a home builder and 
developer from Valrico, Florida, who on February 10th concluded his 
successful term as the 2021 chairman of the National Association of 
Home Builders.
  As chairman, Chuck confronted the challenges he and his fellow 
builders faced during the COVID-19 pandemic head-on. His steady 
leadership at NAHB during the past year has paid great dividends as the 
housing industry has overcome new challenges.
  Chuck provided a laser-like focus to keep housing moving forward by 
working with the administration and lawmakers on both sides of the 
aisle to resolve issues pertaining to the price and availability of 
building materials, and the supply chain in general. He personally 
testified before Congress on this issue in October, calling on 
lawmakers to determine what action can be taken to address our nation's 
troubled building materials supply chain.
  These efforts are paying dividends. Chuck and the NAHB have been 
working tirelessly to reduce lumber tariffs that have contributed to 
unprecedented price volatility and harmed housing affordability. These 
efforts proved successful as the Commerce Department announced on Jan. 
31st that it would be lowering tariffs on Canadian lumber imports into 
the U.S. from 17.99 percent to 11.64 percent--a 35 percent reduction.
  As founder and president of Homes by John C. Fowke Inc., Chuck has 
built hundreds of homes throughout Central Florida and the Tampa Bay 
area. He is dedicated to his industry, having previously served as 
president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association and the Florida Home 
Builders Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the Florida Home 
Builders Association Hall of Fame.
  Chuck also recognizes the importance of giving back to the community 
he's helped build, having served as chairman of the Charity Women's 
Crisis Center's Addition and Renovation Committee. He contributed to 
the efforts of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Joshua 
House and completed a project for the Gary Sinise Foundation for a 
deserving military widow and her children.
  I congratulate Chuck on his efforts to ensure that housing remains 
accessible and affordable to America's families. I congratulate him on 
his successful tenure.

                          ____________________