[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3603]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       REMEMBERING MILLARD FULLER

 Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, this week, Millard Fuller, 
cofounder of Habitat for Humanity, passed away. Millard Fuller 
dedicated his life to helping families fulfill the dream of 
homeownership. Fuller was a selfless entrepreneur who left his fruitful 
career to start a nonprofit organization that used no-interest loans 
and ``sweat equity'' to give low income families the chance to own 
their own homes. I can tell you from firsthand experience that Fuller 
made a huge difference in the lives of thousands of American families.
  Millard Fuller's efforts didn't stop at our national borders. Indeed, 
Habitat for Humanity builds homes in partnership with homeowners in 
virtually every country on the planet.
  Fifteen years ago, I was the executive director for Habitat for 
Humanity in Portland, OR. Helping build homes for those who couldn't 
otherwise afford them provides stability and gives families confidence.
  I saw in the faces of the Habitat family members how much it meant to 
own their own homes. These homes were also important to the children. I 
remember one family with two young daughters who were so excited to be 
able to have their friends over for the very first time in their lives.
  Millard Fuller will be missed, but his legacy and organization will 
live on. I know that I join hundreds of thousands of families in being 
so appreciative for everything Fuller has done for so many hardworking 
Americans and for our country.

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