[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Pages 9514-9515]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO POLLY NICHOL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I want to take a moment to recognize the 
achievements and contributions of a remarkable advocate and a 
celebrated leader in my home State of Vermont.
  Later this month, Polly Nichol will retire from her position as 
director of housing of the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board. For 
more than 35 years, Polly's career in affordable housing and community 
development has stood as the gold standard of excellence to those in 
her field. Her effective leadership across Vermont has inspired 
countless new collaborations, new housing opportunities for our most 
vulnerable, and the preservation of historic structures that make up 
Vermont's unique character. It is not an exaggeration to say that the 
quality of life for many in the Green Mountains is greater as a result 
of Polly Nichol's legacy.
  Polly joined the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board in 1988 as 
its first director of housing. There, she became known for establishing 
creative partnerships to bring together developers, preservationists, 
and advocates alike. This work was grounded in her prior experience at 
the local community action agency, where she led the establishment of 
two neighborhood reinvestment groups in nearby Barre and Randolph. 
These groups are now part of NeighborWorks America, a program I have 
long supported for its investments in rural communities across the 
country.
  Polly's career in advocacy and leadership has been vast and 
multifaceted.

[[Page 9515]]

In Vermont, the challenge of securing safe, affordable housing is far 
too familiar for many. Overcoming this challenge requires a strong 
network of advocates and experts ready and willing to collaborate. 
During her tenure at the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, Polly 
has channeled the organization's mission to improve the capacity of 
surrounding nonprofits dedicated to housing and conservation. Today 
Vermont's landscape of nonprofit developers and preservationists is 
uniquely integrated, much thanks to Polly's early efforts to instill 
value in the belief that building homes includes building community.
  Polly's vision has also had a direct impact on thousands of 
Vermonters in nearly every corner of the state. Her leadership has 
contributed to the success of the Vermont Housing and Conservation 
Board as it has invested in and developed more than 12,000 homes and 
apartments. More than 1,300 homes with much-needed services and 
supports have also been developed for our most vulnerable friends and 
neighbors. Throughout, the organization has also enabled more than 
1,000 individuals to become homeowners, further enabling them to become 
integrated within their local communities.
  Polly's leadership and advocacy may also be witnessed in the other 
voluntary roles she has held throughout the last four decades. She is 
an active member of the city of Montpelier's Housing Task Force, the 
Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, and is well known for her role as 
a founding board member of the Vermont Community Loan Fund. Her reach 
also extends to other important causes, including a most recent 
appointment to serve as the vice president of the board of Vermont 
Works for Women, an organization that supports disadvantaged women and 
those who pursue nontraditional careers.
  We have also been fortunate to have Polly as a delegate to our region 
and national affordable housing communities, including the New England 
Housing Network and the Housing Assistance Council. In 1994, Polly 
received the Skip Jason Community Service Award from the Housing 
Assistance Council after being nominated by a host of Vermonters. As a 
leading national advocate for rural housing policy in the country, this 
award recognizes those whose efforts have improved the housing 
conditions of the rural poor in their communities and whose work ``in 
the trenches'' often goes unrecognized in their communities. Since then 
Polly's leadership, has continued, as she has served as both president 
and chair of the board of the Housing Assistance Council.
  Polly has been well known to friends and colleagues as much for her 
gentle humor as her uncompromising dedication to preserve the unique 
beauty and quality of life found at home in Vermont. Her work will 
leave a lasting impression on those of us who have been fortunate 
enough to learn from and work alongside her. As she transitions to 
retirement, I do hope she finds opportunity to revel in her 
accomplishments both near and far.

                          ____________________