[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14384]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      HONORING MS. DOROTHY PERRY, A CHAMPION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Ms. 
Dorothy Perry, the Parents' Day Council's Florida Parent of the Year 
2001. Ms. Perry is a worthy honoree for the 7th Annual Congressional 
Parents' Day Celebration. One of the unsung heroines of our community, 
Ms. Perry has been a trailblazer throughout her many years of 
dedication and service under the aegis of the affordable housing 
movement.
  She has wisely chosen the challenge of ensuring home ownership as an 
affordable right for ordinary folks, who have done and are doing their 
fair share in contributing to the good of our community. For many 
years, long before the dream of affordable housing became a priority on 
the public agenda, Ms. Perry has been relentless in her passionate 
commitment to helping countless people in my community fulfill their 
wish of someday owning their dream house.
  Tonight's honor is yet another recognition of her devotion to the 
little people. In fact, a few years ago the United Nations honored her 
as the adoptive mother par excellence of some 2000 children, having 
literally transformed her home in my district's James E. Scott Public 
Housing into a ``safe and loving haven'' for them.
  Indeed, Ms. Perry symbolizes the community activist who genuinely 
gives credence to the dignity and optimism of the American spirit. She 
serves as an indelible reminder of what a difference a caring 
individual can make in the lives of our children in whose hands our 
future lies.
  On behalf of a grateful nation, I salute her and wish her Godspeed in 
all her endeavors!

                          ____________________