[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[House]
[Page 23808]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              SUPPORT THE AMERICAN DREAM DOWN PAYMENT ACT

  (Mr. BURNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BURNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for a bill 
that will be on the floor later this afternoon, H.R. 1276, the American 
Dream Down Payment Act. Good quality housing is crucial to the strength 
of our communities and our Nation. Today more Americans own their homes 
than ever before; yet despite this success, the lack of homeownership 
in some of our low-income communities has become a crisis.
  For everyone to be able to live the American dream, we should look at 
providing programs that address the unique housing needs of all people. 
The goal of H.R. 1276 is to increase the ownership rate among 
minorities and to revitalize and stabilize our communities. For many 
low-income households, the down payment is one of the major barriers to 
homeownership. The American Dream Down Payment Act will benefit these 
families by helping them realize the American dream of homeownership.
  I urge my colleagues to provide hope by supporting the gentlewoman 
from Florida's (Ms. Harris) bill on the floor today. Support H.R. 1276, 
the American Dream Down Payment Act.

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