[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6160]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA LEWIS

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 2013

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Virginia Lewis 
for her many years of community service by helping families obtain 
affordable housing in her native Mingo County, and throughout West 
Virginia.
  Virginia Lewis began her career in 1977, when she helped create the 
Mingo County Housing Authority, an organization she continued to serve 
for 30 years as executive director. After realizing the difficulty of 
building and maintaining homes without running water or sewer systems, 
she became the project coordinator for the Mingo County Commission, a 
position which enabled her to help equip 75 percent of the county with 
clean public water. Virginia Lewis was also instrumental in lobbying 
the state legislature to create the West Virginia Affordable Housing 
Trust Fund, which provides support to nonprofit housing organizations 
across the state.
  On May 2, 2013, Virginia Lewis will be inducted into the Affordable 
Housing Hall of Fame by Habitat for Humanity of West Virginia. Mrs. 
Lewis is truly deserving of such an honor, as hundreds, if not 
thousands of West Virginians have her to thank for a higher quality of 
life.
  Virginia Lewis currently resides in Charleston, where she owns and 
operates a consulting firm, continuing her community service by 
assisting with grant applications and serving as a vital housing 
resource on state and federal levels.
  Mr. Speaker, Mingo County, as well as the State of West Virginia, owe 
Virginia Lewis a debt of gratitude for her many years of devoted 
community service.

                          ____________________