March 26, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 52 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S1984]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO TONY BAZZIE

 Mrs. CAPITO. Madam President, I wish to recognize a dedicated 
public servant and proud West Virginian, Tony Bazzie, on the occasion 
of his retirement from the Raleigh County Housing Authority. 
Innumerable West Virginians have benefited from his tireless efforts to 
improve access to affordable housing in our great State and his 
advocacy for increased Housing and Urban Development funding. Tony has 
been a vocal champion for encouraging investment in section 8 housing 
and an advocate for a regulatory framework that balances the interests 
of tenants and property owners.
  Tony started with the housing authority at its inception in 1979 and 
since then has worked hard to dispel the negative stereotypes regarding 
housing assistance. Currently, his office assists over 1,200 families 
in Raleigh County, as well as Braxton, Summers, Nicholas, Fayette, and 
Webster Counties. In fact, demand has been so high that the housing 
authority has had to implement a waiting list to serve additional West 
Virginians.
  Beyond the critical assistance that the housing authority provides to 
West Virginians in need, it also has a positive effect on the economy. 
Through section 8 subsidies, Tony and his staff have contributed over 
$4.5 million in rental payments to local property owners. Supporting 
local economies is something I have worked for in the Senate and 
knowing that I have allies such as Tony in the State has made this 
journey all the more successful.
  Tony has come before Congress to testify about the importance of 
housing authorities across West Virginia, and his insight informed the 
discourse regarding the Section Eight Housing Choice Voucher Reform 
Act, SEVRA. In his testimony, Tony highlighted the need for providing 
decent, safe, and sanitary housing to low-income families. His passion 
for and knowledge of housing policy were of great help to my 
colleagues, and I thank him for his service.
  I would like to thank Tony for all his insight and advice over the 
years. His yearly visits to my DC office were always a highlight, and 
his input was invaluable when discussing housing issues, particularly 
in West Virginia. On a personal level, he was kind and helpful not only 
to me, but to my staff as well. They spoke highly of how attentive, 
patient, and nice he was to everyone he worked with. I am honored to 
call Tony my friend and fellow West Virginian, and I wish him well in 
this new phase of life. I wish him the very best during his well-
deserved retirement, and I hope he can enjoy more time with loved ones. 
West Virginia owes Tony our gratitude, and I thank him for all his 
excellent work for so many years.

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