[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14415-14417]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MILLARD FULLER

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 385) celebrating the life of Millard Fuller, a 
life which provides all of the evidence one needs to

[[Page 14416]]

believe in the power of the human spirit to inspire hope and lift the 
burdens of poverty and despair from the shoulders of one's fellow man.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 385

       Whereas Mr. Millard Fuller, as the founder of Habitat for 
     Humanity and as a dedicated citizen, displayed extraordinary 
     commitment, selflessness, and benevolence throughout a 
     lifetime of philanthropy and goodwill;
       Whereas Mr. Fuller, despite achieving financial success by 
     which he could live out the rest of his life in well-earned 
     comfort, instead chose to devote himself to a cause greater 
     than himself, abandoning his fortune for a life of service;
       Whereas this commitment was most profoundly manifested in 
     the establishment of Habitat for Humanity in Americus, 
     Georgia, an organization whose core principle was, in Millard 
     Fuller's own words, ``To make it socially, morally, 
     politically and religiously unacceptable to have substandard 
     housing and homelessness'';
       Whereas Habitat for Humanity has, since its founding in 
     1976, and with the help of countless volunteers, constructed 
     over 300,000 homes for 1,500,000 of the world's less 
     fortunate, providing hope that would otherwise be lost and 
     promise that would otherwise lay unrealized;
       Whereas Habitat for Humanity's success has left an enduring 
     mark of progress on the world, an achievement facilitated by 
     Millard Fuller's leadership and commitment to a higher ideal, 
     to a more empathetic and noble world, and to a vision of what 
     can be achieved when a united people extend their hands in 
     selfless service;
       Whereas Mr. Fuller's life has been previously and 
     deservedly honored by President William Jefferson Clinton, 
     who awarded him the Nation's highest civilian honor, the 
     Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996; and
       Whereas Millard Fuller passed away on February 3, 2009, 
     leaving behind a loving wife, Linda Fuller, a proud family, 
     and a world filled with inexhaustible gratitude: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) celebrates the life of Millard Fuller, a life which 
     provides all the evidence one needs to believe in the power 
     of the human spirit to inspire hope and lift the burdens of 
     poverty and despair from the shoulders of one's fellow man;
       (2) honors Millard Fuller for three decades of leadership 
     and service through Habitat for Humanity, and the millions he 
     and his organization have inspired to embrace a passion for 
     the good and the just; and
       (3) urges the people of the United States to recognize and 
     pay tribute to Millard Fuller's life and legacy of service by 
     carrying on his vision for a kinder, gentler world, following 
     the example he so emphatically set.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Gary G. 
Miller) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous materials thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize and celebrate the life 
of Mr. Millard Fuller, the founder and strength behind one of our 
Nation's most well-known and beloved nonprofit institutions.
  Mr. Fuller led Habitat for Humanity from its founding in 1976 until 
2005. He was an amazing man who was able to turn a simple idea into a 
global housing juggernaut serving over 100 countries. Through his 
leadership, Habitat for Humanity has created affordable homes for more 
than 300,000 families and 1 million people, families that otherwise 
would have remained in substandard housing.
  So, Mr. Speaker, I think that it is appropriate for this body to pass 
this resolution for a gentleman who certainly is worthy of having this 
recognition.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such 
time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of House Resolution 502, celebrating the life of 
Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. Millard Fuller, along 
with his wife, Linda, founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976.
  Habitat for Humanity operates as a nonprofit Christian housing 
ministry. Working together with local affiliates, Habitat provides 
safe, decent and affordable housing for people of all backgrounds. 
Since its founding, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 
homes worldwide in 3,000 communities and provided housing for more than 
1.5 million people.
  Habitat for Humanity provides needy families with an opportunity for 
homeownership. The average cost of a Habitat home in the U.S. is 
$60,000. Habitat for Humanity sells homes at no profit to Habitat 
homeowners. In order to purchase a home, a Habitat homeowner must 
invest hundreds of hours in sweat equity into building not only their 
Habitat house, but houses for others as well. A Habitat homeowner is 
also responsible for making a down payment and monthly mortgage 
payments.
  Habitat for Humanity is able to finance its operations through 
mortgage payments made by Habitat homeowners, donations and volunteer 
labor. Habitat also accepts government funds, so long as they have no 
conditions that would violate Habitat principles.
  In my State of California, Habitat for Humanity has worked tirelessly 
to provide housing for needy Californians. Thousands of people have a 
decent place to live because of the work of many volunteers and the 
generosity of thousands of donors.
  Mr. Speaker, Habitat for Humanity is an organization that deserves to 
be honored. I urge my colleagues to join me and vote ``yes'' on this 
resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to my colleague and 
friend, the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Sanford Bishop.
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, it often takes loss to remind ourselves of our 
unwavering appreciation and unfaltering gratitude for those few 
extraordinary people who, despite their ability to enjoy tremendous 
success and reward for themselves, instead commit their energies and 
talents to the betterment of the world.
  Millard Fuller of Americus, Georgia, was one of those extraordinary 
few. He passed away February 2nd, leaving behind a wife and family, 
but, more importantly, a legacy that is all the evidence one needs to 
believe in the power of the human spirit to inspire hope and lift the 
burdens of poverty and despair from the shoulders of one's fellow man.
  Throughout his life, Millard Fuller's talent and passion were put on 
display in no small number of ways. He grew to be a great entrepreneur, 
founding a marketing company that made him a millionaire before he was 
30 years old. He was a great lawyer and headed the Southern Poverty Law 
Center in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a great Christian, one who walked 
away from his hard-earned wealth to pursue a life of service and 
philanthropy through the founding of the tremendously successful 
Habitat for Humanity.
  Millard led the organization for more than three decades, and through 
the application of what he called the ``economics of Jesus,'' helped to 
provide over 300,000 homes to the destitute and downtrodden across the 
globe.
  However, more than any of these things, Millard was a great man. His 
selflessness serves as an inspiration to people throughout the Nation 
and all across the world.
  Born to a grocer in Lanett, Alabama, Millard refused to allow his 
modest beginnings to define the course of his life. Although he 
attained great fortune from his tireless efforts as a businessman, he 
soon found that in order to live a life of fulfillment, he had to 
dedicate himself to a simple life of devotion and service to a higher 
purpose.

                              {time}  1915

  He traveled to Africa in order to observe what he could do to improve 
the lot of the impoverished. He became a staunch advocate for aid to 
Africa's poor and traveled the United States for assistance in his 
efforts for Africa.

[[Page 14417]]

  After moving to Americus, Georgia, which is located in the Second 
Congressional District of Georgia, which I'm proud to represent, 
Millard and his supporters founded what would become the most visible 
and effective manifestation of his desire to make a difference, an 
organization dedicated to providing housing and support for the poor, 
Habitat for Humanity.
  For more than 30 years, Habitat for Humanity, with the help of 
countless volunteers, ranging from the average citizen to former 
President Jimmy Carter, built hundreds of thousands of homes for the 
world's disadvantaged. Its mission has reflected a simple philosophy 
best expressed in Millard's own words. He said, ``We want to make it 
socially, morally, politically and religiously unacceptable to have 
substandard housing and homelessness.''
  In 1996, President Bill Clinton recognized Millard's dedication by 
awarding him The Presidential Medal of Freedom.
  In 2005, Millard also founded the Fuller Center for Housing, a 
nonprofit housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing 
worldwide by providing the structure, guidance and support that 
communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among 
them.
  It is my great honor to sponsor H. Res. 385, which celebrates the 
life of Millard Fuller and the impact that he had on so many. As this 
resolution is voted on today, let us seek to emulate Millard Fuller's 
passion for the good and the just and his selfless spirit of a better, 
gentler world.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor the life and 
the memory and the legacy of Millard Fuller.
  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, in closing, you have 
to admire an individual who applies Christian principles to his life. 
He didn't just talk good. He didn't just tell a story, he created good 
and he created a life for many people.
  There's nothing like looking in the eyes of an individual or a family 
who is moving in a new home, especially when the family was involved in 
that home, building that home, and helping build homes for other 
people. You have to admire him for what he did, and all the individuals 
in this country and other countries who give of their time, their 
talent and their resources for the betterment of humanity.
  And at this point in time, I would ask for an ``aye'' vote on a man 
who deserves it.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, let me just agree with my colleague, who 
talked about the living out of beliefs.
  I read a story in one the newspapers today which I thought was one of 
the most theologically unsound things I've seen or read recently. It 
compared the times President Obama and President Bush said the name 
``Jesus,'' as if there is something that is magically going to happen 
as a result of calling the name. And I think we are going into a 
slippery slope when we begin to compare people by how they call the 
name of their deity.
  But in the case of Millard Fuller, he acted out his beliefs. And we 
believe in, at least my religious tradition, that there can be no 
faith, measurable faith, unless there are works. And we say faith 
without works is dead. And so you see today on the political scene, a 
lot of talk about religion, but after all is said and done, there's 
almost always more said than done. And so we have reason to stand up 
and celebrate Mr. Fuller, who put his faith into action.
  I never had the opportunity to work on more than two Habitat homes, 
and I really hate the fact that I've not been able to do more. But I 
appreciate the fact that former President Jimmy Carter has become one 
of the most ardent supporters of Habitat for Humanity and has actually 
worked on tens and tens of homes, not only in this country, but around 
the world.
  And by the organization's 25th anniversary, tens of thousands of 
people like President Jimmy Carter were volunteering with Habitat, and 
more than a half million people were living in Habitat homes. I am 
proud to count myself among the numbers of Habitat volunteers, and I'm 
also proud that I have the opportunity to speak in favor of Millard 
Fuller, a prolific writer, authoring 10 books, and a man who put his 
faith in action.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Cleaver) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 385.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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