IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 397 

Recognizing the challenges, achievements, and significant contributions of 

women and minorities in the fields of housing, housing finance, and 

community development. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MAY 22, 2019 

Mr. CLAY (for himself and Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Financial 

Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period 

to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 

concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the challenges, achievements, and significant 

contributions of women and minorities in the fields of 

housing, housing finance, and community development. 

Whereas President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the Fair 

Housing Act into law in 1968 which prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on 

race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, 

and handicap to counter pervasive, systemic, and debilitating franchised racism; 

Whereas public and private investment and the economic 

health and stability of communities are influenced by 

housing opportunity; 


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•HRES 397 IH 

Whereas women and minorities have been historically excluded in housing; 

Whereas women and minorities have been historically underrepresented in housing; 

Whereas months after Congress passed a landmark law directing the Federal Government to dismantle segregation 

in the Nation’s housing, President Nixon’s Secretary of 

Housing and Urban Development George Romney began 

working to implement a plan to use the law to its fullest 

effect to reverse past discrimination and institute fair 

housing in a low-key manner; 

Whereas home ownership and stable housing amongst women 

and minorities bring significant economic benefits to communities; 

Whereas more women are living independently or serving as 

heads of households today than when the Fair Housing 

Act became law, with women compromising nearly 20 

percent of home buyers today; 

Whereas evidence from the International Monetary Fund suggests that adding women to the labor market will increase overall productivity and stimulate wage growth for 

both women and men; 

Whereas a recent study found that increased diversity of 

leadership teams in business resulted in 19 percent higher revenue due to innovation, a substantial factor in tech 

companies, startups, and industries of the future; 

Whereas historic and systemic racial barriers to wealth building and the implication this has had for home ownership 

left many in cities across America vulnerable to displacement and economic isolation; and 


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•HRES 397 IH 

Whereas lack of housing opportunity contributes to the continued racial wealth gap: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the significant contributions and 

3 importance of representation of women and minori4 ties in housing; 

5 (2) encourages increased participation of 

6 women and minorities in housing and related fields; 

7 and 

8 (3) will look to promote diversity, policies, and 

9 robust investment in programs which serve to coun10 termand historic segregation perpetrated against 

11 women and minorities. 

Æ 


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