[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5336-S5337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   TRIBUTE TO BENSON ``BUZZ'' ROBERTS

 Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dear constituent, Benson ``Buzz'' Roberts, in recognition of his 
imminent retirement as president and chief executive officer of the 
National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders--NAAHL--and his 45 
years of dedicated service in the affordable housing and community 
development field.
  Throughout his career, Buzz has been an influential voice on housing 
and community development policy and practices. He has been among the 
most important leaders in helping to advance key legislation to support 
the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, the New Markets Tax Credit, and more 
recently my Neighborhood Homes Tax Credit. As the lead Senate sponsor 
on legislation to expand New Markets Tax Credits and legislation to 
create Neighborhood Homes credits, I have personally been witness to 
Buzz's thoughtful leadership and relentless advocacy in support of 
these critical initiatives. Buzz has also been a key champion of many 
other key housing and community development initiatives over the years, 
including HOME Investment Partnerships grants, the Capital Magnet Fund, 
Treasury Department funding for Federal Housing Administration 
multifamily risk-sharing loans, and regulatory changes to the Community 
Reinvestment Act.
  Buzz began his career as a community development organizer. He later 
served at a national association of nonprofit neighborhood development 
groups before serving for over 20 years as the senior vice president 
for policy and program development at the Local Initiatives Support 
Corporation--LISC--a leading nonprofit investor in affordable housing 
and community revitalization. Buzz then went on to serve as the first 
Director of the Office of Small Business, Community Development and 
Housing Policy at the U.S. Treasury Department.
  In 2015, Buzz joined NAAHL as its president and CEO. NAAHL is a 
national association that brings together banks, Community Development 
Financial Institutions, and other capital providers. During his time at 
NAAHL, Buzz has helped further the mission of the organization, which 
is to expand economic opportunity through responsible private financing 
for affordable

[[Page S5337]]

housing and inclusive neighborhood revitalization. This includes 
ensuring that policies continue to be in place to support the critical 
work of NAAHL members and the millions of people in the Nation who need 
affordable and sustainable housing. Buzz also serves as a board member 
of several national and local nonprofit organizations and coalitions 
and has written extensively about affordable housing and neighborhood 
revitalization.
  Buzz has spent his life advocating for affordable housing, community 
revitalization, and lifting families out of poverty. What a wonderful 
vocation for a truly special person. I know that NAAHL members, current 
and former colleagues, and industry friends will miss him. I ask that 
my fellow colleagues here in the U.S. Senate join me in thanking Buzz 
Roberts for his lifelong commitment to serving families and communities 
in need and congratulating him on his well-deserved retirement. I wish 
him all the best.

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