CELEBRATION OF THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF KANSAS CITY; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 121
(Extensions of Remarks - July 18, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATION OF THE FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
KANSAS CITY
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HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER
of missouri
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 18, 2019
Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Fortieth
Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. As a leader in
nonprofit homebuilding, Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to ensuring
suitable and affordable housing for all. Since its creation, Habitat
for Humanity of Kansas City has improved hundreds of lives in six
counties of the Greater Kansas City area and the Fifth Congressional
District of Missouri. Wholly devoted to establishing stability and
security in the community via improved housing, Habitat for Humanity of
Kansas City provides tools to build self-reliance and lightens the
burdens many homeowners face. Through these programs, they create
opportunities for families to invest in their future and thrive.
John and Mary Pritchard founded Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City
in March of 1979, now the seventh oldest branch of Habitat for Humanity
International. In their first year, the Pritchards, with the aid of
board members, local churches, and community groups, purchased seven
properties which they turned into homes. The Middlebrooks, Habitat's
first homeowners, moved to the corner of Linwood and Martin Luther King
Jr. Boulevard and were able to pay zero-percent interest on their
mortgage for twenty years. The hard work of volunteers, families, and
community members have allowed Habitat of Kansas City to continue
building, renovating, and renewing over 700 homes in their forty years
in the area.
Building off their success in constructing homes, Habitat for
Humanity of Kansas City created ReStore, a retail store which sells
donated home furnishings and construction material to families trying
to renovate their homes at an affordable price. Additionally, they
built their House of Abraham in 2003, an interfaith endeavor between
the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim communities in the Greater Kansas
City area. It seeks to promote understanding between faiths by having
adherents work together to build and restore homes. Habitat for
Humanity of Kansas City also established the HOPE financial literacy
program which assists Habitat homeowners with long-term credit and
budgeting.
Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City is just one branch of an
international organization, which aids people across all 50 states and
70 countries. Habitat International was founded in 1976 and has helped
more than 22 million people due to their core belief that housing
should be accessible to all. Habitat for Humanity constructs and
restores homes, and then counsels families on investments and finances
to help them keep their homes. When a family can afford a safe and
stable home, they can then invest in other needs such as health care or
the education of their children. Habitat for Humanity creates a ripple
effect throughout communities, not only providing a safe shelter, but
also a prosperous and strong future for families. They are champions
for one of the core values of our country--opportunity for all,
regardless of income or background.
Madam Speaker, please join me, Missouri's Fifth Congressional
District, and those around the nation in honoring the Fortieth
Anniversary of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. Their commitment to
bettering the community through building and restoring houses for
families in the region is admirable and worthy of our recognition.
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