Date: 2005-06-27
Speaker: GARY G. MILLER (republican)
Chamber: H
State: California

Mr. the availability of housing in this country and Speaker. I rise today to celebrate homeowner- to find ways for government to positively inship in America. pact homeownership in America. Recently. President Bush designated .une While we have done much to help Amerias National Homeownership Month as he has cans become homeowners. we must do more. done for the past three years: To complement We must remove the hurdles and needless this designation. H. Res. 312. provides con- regulations that keep homeownership out of gressional recognition of National Homeowner- the reach of some American families. We ship Month and the importance of homeowner- must also promote fair lending and fair housship in the United States. ing regulations to increase housing opportuniThis resolution expresses the sense of Con- ties for all Americans. With June designated gress that the House of Representatives: (1) as National Homeownership Month. there is Fully supports the goals and ideals of National no better time to address these issues. Homeownership Month. and (2) recognizes Now more than ever. Congress must culthe importance of homeownership in building tivate an environment in which more Ameristrong communities and families. cans may turn the dream of homeownership. IMPORTANCE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP IN AMERICA into reality. For generations. the goal of owning a home SUPPORT NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH AND H. has been the bedrock of our economy and a RES. 312 fundamental part of the American -Dream. I am very pleased to see the President has Over the last three years. as we have faced made it a priority to promote affordable housthe challenges of war and economic uncer- ing and homeownership. tainty. the housing markets have helped to His Administration has taken a leading role keep our economy strong. Nationally. housing in finding new and innovative ways to expand generates more than 22 percent of the Gross homeownership. particularly among minorities Domestic Product and accounts for nearly 40 and families in lowincome areas. I commend cents of every dollar spent. . the hard work of Secretary Jackson and his Americas housing markets are the envy of team at HUD for their work in developing prothe world. We enjoy the lowest interest rates grams to increase affordable housing and enand the highest homeownership rates of any courage homeownership. developed nation. In fact. the national home- As a vital part of this goal. National Homeownership rate in the United States has ownership Month is a reminder of the imporreached a record high of 69.1 percent and tance of housing issues in America. This bimore than half of all minority families are partisan resolution. H. Res. 312. recognizes homeowners. Over 73.4 million Americans are the need for National Homeownership Month now homeowners. with many more achieving and the overall importance of homeownership this goal every day. in America. I urge my colleagues to join me in Homeownership is the single largest creator supporting H. Res. 312 to reinforce our comof wealth for Americans. It is the largest in- mitment to housing opportunities and to help vestmenf most families will ever make and a guarantee the dream of homeownership for key to promoting longterm economic stability. more American families. For these reasons. we must continue to pro- Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker. I have no furmote policies that ensure more Americans ther requests for time. and I yield back may achieve the goal of homeownership. the balance of my time. HOMEOWNERSHIP BUILDS STRONGER COMMUNITIES The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aside from helping millions of Americans RADANOVICH). The question is on the achieve their dreams. homeownership also motion offered by the gentleman from helps to build neighborhoods and strengthen Ohio that the House suspend communities. the rules and agree to the resolution. For families across this Nation. a home is H. Res. 312. not just four walls and a roof. It is a refuge Thequestion was taken. and (twofrom the perils of the outside world. a break thirds having voted in. favor thereof) after a hard days work. and a foundation on the rules were suspended and the resowhich to raise a family. A home is aplace for lution was agreed to. children to learn. play. and grow. as well as a A motion to reconsider was laid on place where the elderly may retire with a life- the table. time of memories. Owning a home also provides homeowners GENERAL LEAVE a tangible stake in their cities and towns. Fam- Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker. I ask unaniilies who own homes have a vital stake in their mous consent that all Members may communities. a stronger interest in the safe- have 5 legislative days in which to rekeeping of their neighborhoods. and a deeper vise and extend their remarks on this commitment to the quality of their schools and legislation. House Resolution 312. and libraries. Each home is a critical piece in a to insert extraneous material into the successful neighborhood. allowing families to RECORD. enjoy community e.ents together and share in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there the lives of their neighbors and friends. objection to the request of the genAs millions of American families have dem- tleman from Ohio? onstrated. increased homeownership helps to There was no objection. build better communities. and better communities help to build a better America.