# Opening Remarks

This meeting begins an historic year for the Interagency Council on
Homelessness. [First]{.underline}, it brings together the three
Secretaries who have established a new standard of collaboration on the
issue of homelessness. They and their staffs have been coordinating
activities for two years now in an unprecedented initiative to foster
interagency strategies. Their commitment has moved forward the
President's initiative to end chronic homeless in the next 10 years.

[Second]{.underline}, in the history of the Council, which now spans 16
years with a six year ellipsis, there has never been a chairperson of
the Council other than the Secretary of HUD. This Administration and the
Congress determined that such a precedent needed to be undone. And so
today we welcome Secretary Thompson into the Chairman's seat.

**And how fortunate the Council is to welcome to its Chair the boundless
energy and expansive creativity of Secretary Thompson. As a state
legislator, Governor, and now as Secretary he has demonstrated a
capacity for problem solving so needed to address chronic
homelessness.**

**His creativity on welfare reform, expanded access to healthcare for
low income people, including the Pathways Program for disabled people,
equip him for creativity in addressing family and chronic homelessness.
Thank you for your willingness to serve the Council.**

**And we welcome into the Vice-Chairman seat Secretary Anthony Principi
who has been a forceful advocate for homeless veterans and deeply
committed to ending chronic homelessness among veterans. In light of
current world events, his work is crucial to ensure a hospitable return
for our troops.**

**This Administration, in revitalizing the Council, understood that no
one agency could solve homelessness on its own. And that a break with
the past was necessary.**

**And in the selection of Secretary Martinez as the inaugural chair of
the revitalized Council, we recognized someone who would willingly and
openly welcome such a change and foster such collaboration. In
enthusiastically supporting the transition today, Secretary Martinez
once again demonstrates what we've come to know about him:**

-   **He's deeply committed professionally and personally to the issue
    of homelessness.**

-   **He's open handed in sharing resources and turf in pursuit of the
    outcome of ending chronic homelessness.**

-   **He's part of a team that intends to leave behind a legacy of
    accomplishment, especially for our poorest neighbors.**

-   **And he understands and supports the initiatives of the Council to
    include all federal agencies in a collaborative strategy.**

**His year has been a year of activity and accomplishment. And so on
behalf of the 20 member agencies of this Council and the staff, who have
so enjoyed and appreciated the hospitality of the Secretary and his
staff at HUD, we want to offer a symbol of our acknowledgement of your
leadership role in revitalizing the Council and providing leadership for
its first year.**

**Please receive this token of our appreciation and affection for your
kindness, strength, and determination.**

### **The engraving says:** 

### **UNITED STATES**

## INTERAGENCY COUNCIL on HOMELESSNESS

ABOLITIONIST AWARD

**TO**

SECRETARY MEL MARTINEZ

**PRESENTED BY MEMBERS AND STAFF**

**FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL**

**COMMITMENT TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS**

**AS CHAIR OF THE REVITALIZED COUNCIL**

**THE INAUGURAL YEAR**

#### MARCH 2002 TO MARCH 2003

On the plaque are two keys. One key is cut. It is the key to the very
first apartment created for a homeless person during Secretary
Martinez's term. An apartment on Long Island, New York.

**The other key is uncut. It represents all the future housing that will
be created by the initiatives Secretary Martinez has supported for those
experiencing chronic homelessness.**

And so, Secretary Martinez, on behalf of all gathered here, please
receive this offering of our esteem, friendship, and respect.