President Bush's Hometown Celebrates National Homeownership Month

Friday, July 12, 2002

President Bush declared June National Homeownership Month across the nation - and the President's hometown of Midland, Texas joined in the celebration!

[Photo 1: Tour bus, Lubbock Field Office staff, and Midland Affordable Housing Partnership representatives.]
Lubbock Field Office staff and Midland Affordable Housing Partnership representatives prepare to board the tour bus.

Midland, Texas isn't a big town, but it understands the need for affordable housing, the value of local partnerships, and the idea that everyone can have the opportunity to live the American Dream. This year, Midland celebrated with its 5th Annual National Homeownership Month Home Tours. The home tour included a drive thru of two future housing development sites in Original Town and the Best Addition, to be developed by the Midland Community Development Corporation and Habitat for Humanity respectively. The highlight of the tour was a chance to meet the new homeowners who beamed with pride as they showed off their homes.

The tour concluded at a northeast neighborhood site currently under development by Midland Neighborhood Services, Inc. With four homes recently completed in this southeast Midland neighborhood, more families can prosper, children can thrive, and the tax base grow to benefit the entire community.

[Photo 2: Mrs. Bonifacio Barragan shows off her new home to Miguel C. Rincon Jr.] [Photo 3: Wanda C. Merritt and Ronnie Browning in front of Pam Chambers' new home.]

Left: Mrs. Bonifacio Barragan beams with pride and exuberance as she shows off her new home on E. Spruce St. to Miguel C. Rincon Jr., Lubbock's Field Office Director. Mrs. Barragan expressed appreciation to President Bush and the Midland community for recognizing the importance of helping all citizens have the chance to achieve the American Dream.

Right: Lubbock HUD staffers Wanda C. Merritt, Operations Specialist, and Ronnie Browning, Chief, Single Family Customer Service, admire the new home of Pam Chambers on E. Hickory St.

Midland's National Housing Month event was organized by Midland Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. The sponsor of the tour was the Midland Affordable Housing Partnership - the Midland County Housing Finance Corporation; City of Midland Community Development; Midland County Housing Authority; Midland Habitat for Humanity; and Midland Neighborhood Housing Services. The partner agencies provide financial assistance to low-income, first time homebuyers to achieve the American Dream of affordable homeownership.


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When we conducted our Workplace Satisfaction Survey earlier this year, HUD staff in Headquarters and field offices said they wanted more and better training opportunities. That is why next week is HUD National Training Awareness Week, Monday, July 15th through Friday, July 19th.

The theme for the week is "Training = Power and Potential." It will be an excellent opportunity for all of us to focus on the critical role training plays in helping the Department carry out its mission, and helping all HUD employees reach their full potential. Secretary Martinez and I encourage all employees to spend time next week learning about the many training opportunities available to them, and to take part in special events we have planned.

[Graphic: HUD's National Training Awareness Week. Theme: Training = Power and Potential.]

On Monday, July 15th, please take time to visit the HUD Training Academy's website on HUD's Intranet, HUD@Work. You can learn about how to receive training - from basic to expert - in the computer software programs that will make you more effective on the job, or prepare you to advance in your career. You can learn how to develop an Individual Development Plan, get a course guide for all of the courses HUD is offering - on-line and in the classroom - and learn more about new HUD training initiatives.

On Tuesday, July 16th at 2:00 PM EST, please join me in the HUD Cafeteria for the official kick-off ceremony. The event will be broadcast simultaneously to field offices across the country. You will hear about the exciting events that the HUD Training Academy, its Board of Governors and Field Office Training Committees, have planned throughout the week in Headquarters and HUD field offices.

I encourage you to take part in the wide variety of activities scheduled for HUD's National Training Awareness Week, and to take advantage of the many training opportunities the Department is offering. Your enhanced skills and new expertise can make a difference in your career, and help make HUD the effective, high-performing agency our nation needs to help the people and communities we serve.

Alphonso Jackson
Deputy Secretary

 
Content Archived: September 09, 2009