[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       SEVERE RESTRICTIONS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND ILL-ADVISED

  (Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, a couple weeks ago the 
majority in the House narrowly imposed on the bill creating an 
affordable housing fund with funds from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 
severe restrictions to keep insidious left-wing organizations from 
undermining the stability of this country. I have a letter here from 
one of the organizations that was so targeted. It is that radical group 
known as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a set of groups in local 
communities that, to quote them, ``pray at each meeting that families 
and those who have no home quickly may find a place in which they can 
live a decent and happy life.''
  Here is what this subversive organization of deeply religious people 
dedicated to trying to help the poor have to say:
  ``Our members live in communities across the country. They serve 
individuals and families with no homes, families on the verge of 
homelessness. We see what they are going through. Many Councils of the 
Society provide shelter and housing for the poor. The poor need a voice 
just as much as Americans who have the financial ability to own their 
own homes. They, too, should be allowed the privilege to register to 
vote, regardless of where they live; and nonprofits should not be 
penalized for providing them an opportunity to do so.''

                                     Council of the United States,


                               Society of St. Vincent De Paul,

                                  St. Louis, MO, November 2, 2005.
     Hon. Barney Frank,
     Rayburn HOB,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Rep. Frank: As National President of the Society of 
     St. Vincent de Paul representing 116,000 members across the 
     United States in 4,000 parishes, I urge you to:
       1. Support the Affordable Housing Fund in the GSE 
     legislation (H.R. 1461), but without restricting an 
     organization's right to engage in voter registration.
       2. Oppose any language that restricts voter registration 
     and freedom of affiliation by non-profit and public 
     organizations when using their own funds.
       3. Tell House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Financial 
     Service Chairman Mike Oxley (R-OH) to reject these 
     restrictions and bring the bill to the floor for a vote 
     without this language.
       Members of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul pray at each 
     meeting ``that families and those who have no home may 
     quickly find a place in which they can live a decent and 
     happy life.'' I ask that you help us to continue to make this 
     a reality.
       It is our belief that it is the right of every American to 
     vote. Access to the privilege to register to vote should not 
     be conditioned upon where people live or what their financial 
     condition is. Nonprofit organizations such as the Society of 
     St. Vincent de Paul, work tirelessly to serve the poor. It is 
     irresponsible to hold organizations hostage by this 
     restrictive measure that impinges on the rights of poor 
     Americans and upon those who seek to help give a face and a 
     voice to the many that are voiceless. We see from the recent 
     tragedies in the south that there are many poor and today 
     many more homeless who need shelter. Adding such limitations 
     on those who are trying so hard to help is wrong.
       The Society has been serving the poor in America for over 
     150 years. Our members live in communities across the 
     country. They regularly visit and serve individuals and 
     families with no homes, families on the verge of 
     homelessness, and families who live in hazardous and 
     substandard conditions. We see what they are going through. 
     Many Councils of the Society provide shelter and housing for 
     the poor. The poor need a voice just as much as Americans who 
     have the financial ability to afford their own homes. They, 
     too, should be allowed the privilege to register to vote 
     regardless of where they live, and nonprofits should not be 
     penalized for providing them an opportunity to do so.
           Sincerely,

                                             Joseph Flannigan,

                                               National President,
     Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

                          ____________________