March 9, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 45 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E278-E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM ``BILL'' FLOYD ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 9, 2020

  Ms. PINGREE. Madam Speaker, I am proud to recognize a visionary 
social justice advocate and leader in my state who is retiring after 
several decades of working to improve the lives of his fellow citizens.
  William (``Bill'') Floyd trained as a social worker, held leadership 
roles in state government, and worked for over three decades to develop 
housing and provide services for individuals with disabilities, people 
with very low income, and those experiencing homelessness. His advocacy 
on behalf of marginalized Mainers is legendary, and in 2015, Bill 
received the Joseph Brannigan Community Excellence Award in recognition 
of his work to address the housing and support needs of individuals 
with mental illness.
  His commitment to volunteerism is exemplified by leading and serving 
on myriad boards, including Mobius, Inc., the Maine Association of 
Nonprofits, the Northern New England Housing Investment Fund, and the 
Community Development Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of 
Boston. Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the Genesis Fund in 
2007, he also served six years on their Board of Directors.
  The Genesis Fund, a Certified Community Development Financial 
Institution, provides innovative financing to create affordable housing 
and community facilities for underserved people and communities. Under 
Bill Floyd's leadership, both their assets and loan portfolio have 
grown by over 600 percent, and they have extended their reach by 
providing technical assistance to nonprofit organizations across Maine 
seeking state, federal, and private funding opportunities.
  Bill Floyd's leadership at the Genesis Fund has resulted in resources 
for some of Maine's most vulnerable citizens, including single parents 
and their children, low-income working families, the elderly, homeless 
individuals and families, and people with disabilities. Bill knows that 
the impact of affordable housing on individuals and families is 
profound and leads to better health, improved student performance, 
better job opportunities, and increased financial stability and 
personal security. Further, it transforms entire communities.
  Bill Floyd has spent his professional life ensuring that no one in 
our society be written off. His public service to struggling 
individuals, families, and communities across Maine has left a legacy, 
and for that I thank him wholeheartedly and wish him all the best in 
his retirement.

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