[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5591]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO JOHN PERNA AND SAGINAW HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the outgoing 
director of Saginaw Habitat for Humanity, John Perna. Mr. Perna is 
leaving his position as director of the organization after six years in 
that post. He will be honored at a dinner on March 8th in Saginaw, 
Michigan.
  John Perna's background as a student of theology at the University of 
Notre Dame and his work in church music ministry helped him to expand 
the Saginaw Habitat for Humanity. He started working for Saginaw 
Habitat for Humanity in 1996. At that time he was the only paid staff 
person. Four houses were built that year by the organization. Today, 
the staff includes seven full time employees, one part time employee 
and three Americorps members. The group anticipates completing sixteen 
houses in the Saginaw community this year including the Blitz 2003 when 
eight houses will be built in two weeks.
  Saginaw Habitat for Humanity holds the principles of being an 
ecumenical, Christian housing ministry foremost in all its endeavors. 
Committed to eliminating substandard shelter and homelessness from the 
area, Saginaw Habitat for Humanity has partnered with several area 
churches and organizations to make affordable, respectable housing 
available to all. Reflecting on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the 
members, volunteers and staff of Saginaw Habitat for Humanity have put 
their faith into action. A cornerstone of this action is the 
``economics of Jesus,'' or volunteers responding to those in need. 
Together the homeowners, the construction volunteers, partner 
organizations like the Home Builders Association, the Michigan Prison 
Build Program, the Michigan National Guard and area High School 
building trades students contributed the sweat equity that made the 
dream of a new home a reality for several families.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
congratulating John Perna and Saginaw Habitat for Humanity for the work 
they have accomplished thus far. I wish Mr. Perna the best as he starts 
a new phase of his life, and I wish the best for the incoming director, 
Paul Warriner, along with the entire Saginaw Habitat for Humanity 
organization. May they continue in their work until every person has a 
decent place to live.

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