[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Pages 14104-14105]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 92--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF 
                      HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR AMERICANS

  Mr. JOHNSON (for himself and Mr. Thune) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Banking, 
Housing, and Urban Affairs:

                            S. Con. Res. 92

       Whereas the United States promotes and encourages the 
     creation and revitalization of sustainable and strong 
     neighborhoods in partnership with States, cities, and local 
     communities and in conjunction with the independent and 
     collective actions of private citizens and organizations;
       Whereas establishing a housing infrastructure strengthens 
     neighborhoods and local economies and nurtures the families 
     who reside in them;
       Whereas an integral element of a strong community is a 
     sufficient supply of affordable housing;
       Whereas affordable housing may be provided in many forms, 
     including apartment buildings, transitional and temporary 
     homes, condominiums, cooperatives, and single family homes;
       Whereas, for many families, a home is not merely shelter, 
     but also provides an opportunity for growth, prosperity, and 
     security;
       Whereas homeownership spurs the production and sale of 
     goods and services, generates new jobs, encourages savings 
     and investment, promotes economic and civic responsibility, 
     and enhances the financial security of all people in the 
     United States;
       Whereas, although the United States is the first nation in 
     the world to make owning a home a reality for a vast majority 
     of families, \1/3\ of homeowners in the United States are 
     severely cost-burdened homeowners;
       Whereas Habitat for Humanity is able to sell homes to 
     working families at 30 percent to 60 percent of median 
     income;
       Whereas the community-building activities of neighborhood-
     based nonprofit organizations empower individuals to improve 
     their lives and make communities safer and healthier for 
     families;
       Whereas one of the best known nonprofit housing 
     organizations is Habitat for Humanity, which builds simple 
     but adequate housing for less fortunate families and 
     symbolizes the self-help approach to homeownership;
       Whereas studies show that homeownership has a positive 
     impact on the lives of family members, including improved 
     physical and mental health;
       Whereas Habitat for Humanity is organized in all 50 States 
     and the District of Columbia;
       Whereas Habitat for Humanity has built over 275,000 houses 
     worldwide and endeavors to complete another 100,000 homes by 
     the end of 2009;

[[Page 14105]]

       Whereas Habitat for Humanity provides opportunities for 
     people from every segment of society to volunteer to help 
     make the American dream a reality for families who otherwise 
     would not own a home; and
       Whereas June has been designated National Homeownership 
     Month: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) everyone in the United States should have a decent home 
     in which to live;
       (2) Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     should demonstrate the importance of volunteerism;
       (3) during the 110th, 111th, and 112th Congresses, Members 
     of the Senate and the House of Representatives are encouraged 
     to participate in Congress Building America, a program in 
     which congressional delegations work with Habitat for 
     Humanity affiliates to build homes in their districts and 
     States; and
       (4) these occasions should be used to emphasize and focus 
     on the importance of providing decent homes for all of the 
     people in the United States.

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