[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17454]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING SEED'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2015

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor SouthEast 
Effective Development (SEED), a nonprofit from Seattle, Washington, on 
its 40th anniversary.
  SEED was founded in 1975 with the purpose of revitalizing struggling 
neighborhoods in Southeast Seattle. During that time, many community 
members lacked access to much-needed resources and the area was riddled 
with deteriorating infrastructure. As a result, SEED made it their 
mission to improve the quality of life in Southeast Seattle through a 
series of economic development, housing, and cultural programs.
  SEED is regarded by many as having been integral to rejuvenating one 
of the area's most historic business districts--Columbia City--and 
generating several other thriving commercial areas. Other projects have 
included the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, Rainier Valley Square, 
Washington Care Center, and The Dakota at Rainier Court. SEED's 
approach to economic development, which includes collaborations with 
the private sector, government, and non-profits, has proven to be a 
successful model. The result has been not only new commercial 
development, but also increased capacity in neighborhoods to lay the 
groundwork for future success.
  The organization's housing programs have also had a tremendous 
impact, including the addition of over 1,000 affordable housing units 
for low-income families. In 2005, one of SEED's housing development 
projects won the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phoenix Award 
for its successful restoration of a contaminated building into a 
livable space. SEED is also credited for bringing the first medical 
clinic and the first senior living community to the area.
  In addition, SEED has worked to cultivate a more active arts and 
cultural scene in Southeast Seattle. The SEEDarts program has remodeled 
several structures into art galleries and performing arts theaters, and 
organized cultural events that have become staple community activities. 
Through SEEDarts, as well as its other programs, SEED continuously 
strives to nurture a stronger sense of community in Southeast Seattle.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I recognize and congratulate 
SEED for its four decades of service to Southeast Seattle. SEED's 
enduring commitment to the strength and vitality of our community is 
truly admirable, and I look forward to hearing about their future 
successes.

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