[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4774]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             PROTECTING THE AMERICAN DREAM OF OWNING A HOME

  (Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BARRETT of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, our mortgage market is 
experiencing housing finance challenges and a credit crisis. 
Foreclosures are hitting an all time high. My own State of South 
Carolina is ranked 39th in the Nation for home foreclosures. Mortgage 
and financial challenges are placing heavy burdens on American 
families, and the situation has forced thousands of families to lose 
their prized possession, their home. One person losing their home, Mr. 
Speaker, is one too many.
  As Members of Congress, can we lend money or give credit to people? 
No. But we can put these families and homeowners in touch with the 
right people, who can provide them with information on how to escape 
the mortgage rift.
  During the break, I held homeowner education seminars and invited 
local mortgage lenders and nonprofits to give free one-on-one 
counseling sessions to constituents with mortgage questions. The event 
had wonderfully qualified people on hand who were able to give 
information away.
  Let's try to protect the American Dream of owning a home. I encourage 
other Members to do the same.

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