Celebrating the life of Millard Fuller, a life which provides all the evidence one needs to believe in the power of the human spirit to inspire hope and lift the burdens of poverty and despair from the shoulders of one's fellow man.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, it often takes loss to remind ourselves of our unwavering appreciation and unfaltering gratitude for those few extraordinary people who, despite their ability to enjoy tremendous success and reward for themselves, instead commit their energies and talents to the betterment of the world.

Millard Fuller of Americus, Georgia, was one of those extraordinary few. He passed away February 2nd, leaving behind a wife and family, but, more importantly, a legacy that is all the evidence one needs to believe in the power of the human spirit to inspire hope and lift the burdens of poverty and despair from the shoulders of one's fellow man.

Throughout his life, Millard Fuller's talent and passion were put on display in no small number of ways. He grew to be a great entrepreneur, founding a marketing company that made him a millionaire before he was 30 years old. He was a great lawyer and headed the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a great Christian, one who walked away from his hard-earned wealth to pursue a life of service and philanthropy through the founding of the tremendously successful Habitat for Humanity.

Millard led the organization for more than three decades, and through the application of what he called the ``economics of Jesus,'' helped to provide over 300,000 homes to the destitute and downtrodden across the globe.

However, more than any of these things, Millard was a great man. His selflessness serves as an inspiration to people throughout the Nation and all across the world.

Born to a grocer in Lanett, Alabama, Millard refused to allow his modest beginnings to define the course of his life. Although he attained great fortune from his tireless efforts as a businessman, he soon found that in order to live a life of fulfillment, he had to dedicate himself to a simple life of devotion and service to a higher purpose.

He traveled to Africa in order to observe what he could do to improve the lot of the impoverished. He became a staunch advocate for aid to Africa's poor and traveled the United States for assistance in his efforts for Africa.

After moving to Americus, Georgia, which is located in the Second Congressional District of Georgia, which I'm proud to represent, Millard and his supporters founded what would become the most visible and effective manifestation of his desire to make a difference, an organization dedicated to providing housing and support for the poor, Habitat for Humanity.

For more than 30 years, Habitat for Humanity, with the help of countless volunteers, ranging from the average citizen to former President Jimmy Carter, built hundreds of thousands of homes for the world's disadvantaged. Its mission has reflected a simple philosophy best expressed in Millard's own words. He said, ``We want to make it socially, morally, politically and religiously unacceptable to have substandard housing and homelessness.''

In 1996, President Bill Clinton recognized Millard's dedication by awarding him The Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In 2005, Millard also founded the Fuller Center for Housing, a nonprofit housing ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty housing worldwide by providing the structure, guidance and support that communities need to build and repair homes for the impoverished among them.

It is my great honor to sponsor H. Res. 385, which celebrates the life of Millard Fuller and the impact that he had on so many. As this resolution is voted on today, let us seek to emulate Millard Fuller's passion for the good and the just and his selfless spirit of a better, gentler world.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution to honor the life and the memory and the legacy of Millard Fuller.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 385) celebrating the life of Millard Fuller, a life which provides all of the evidence one needs to believe in the power of the human spirit to inspire hope and lift the burdens of poverty and despair from the shoulders of one's fellow man.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous materials thereon.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize and celebrate the life of Mr. Millard Fuller, the founder and strength behind one of our Nation's most well-known and beloved nonprofit institutions.

Mr. Fuller led Habitat for Humanity from its founding in 1976 until 2005. He was an amazing man who was able to turn a simple idea into a global housing juggernaut serving over 100 countries. Through his leadership, Habitat for Humanity has created affordable homes for more than 300,000 families and 1 million people, families that otherwise would have remained in substandard housing.

So, Mr. Speaker, I think that it is appropriate for this body to pass this resolution for a gentleman who certainly is worthy of having this recognition.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 7 minutes to my colleague and friend, the gentleman from Georgia, Mr. Sanford Bishop.

Mr. Speaker, let me just agree with my colleague, who talked about the living out of beliefs.

I read a story in one the newspapers today which I thought was one of the most theologically unsound things I've seen or read recently. It compared the times President Obama and President Bush said the name ``Jesus,'' as if there is something that is magically going to happen as a result of calling the name. And I think we are going into a slippery slope when we begin to compare people by how they call the name of their deity.

But in the case of Millard Fuller, he acted out his beliefs. And we believe in, at least my religious tradition, that there can be no faith, measurable faith, unless there are works. And we say faith without works is dead. And so you see today on the political scene, a lot of talk about religion, but after all is said and done, there's almost always more said than done. And so we have reason to stand up and celebrate Mr. Fuller, who put his faith into action.

I never had the opportunity to work on more than two Habitat homes, and I really hate the fact that I've not been able to do more. But I appreciate the fact that former President Jimmy Carter has become one of the most ardent supporters of Habitat for Humanity and has actually worked on tens and tens of homes, not only in this country, but around the world.

And by the organization's 25th anniversary, tens of thousands of people like President Jimmy Carter were volunteering with Habitat, and more than a half million people were living in Habitat homes. I am proud to count myself among the numbers of Habitat volunteers, and I'm also proud that I have the opportunity to speak in favor of Millard Fuller, a prolific writer, authoring 10 books, and a man who put his faith in action.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise in support of House Resolution 502, celebrating the life of Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity. Millard Fuller, along with his wife, Linda, founded Habitat for Humanity in 1976.

Habitat for Humanity operates as a nonprofit Christian housing ministry. Working together with local affiliates, Habitat provides safe, decent and affordable housing for people of all backgrounds. Since its founding, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 300,000 homes worldwide in 3,000 communities and provided housing for more than 1.5 million people.

Habitat for Humanity provides needy families with an opportunity for homeownership. The average cost of a Habitat home in the U.S. is $60,000. Habitat for Humanity sells homes at no profit to Habitat homeowners. In order to purchase a home, a Habitat homeowner

must invest hundreds of hours in sweat equity into building not only their Habitat house, but houses for others as well. A Habitat homeowner is also responsible for making a down payment and monthly mortgage payments.

Habitat for Humanity is able to finance its operations through mortgage payments made by Habitat homeowners, donations and volunteer labor. Habitat also accepts government funds, so long as they have no conditions that would violate Habitat principles.

In my State of California, Habitat for Humanity has worked tirelessly to provide housing for needy Californians. Thousands of people have a decent place to live because of the work of many volunteers and the generosity of thousands of donors.

Mr. Speaker, Habitat for Humanity is an organization that deserves to be honored. I urge my colleagues to join me and vote ``yes'' on this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, you have to admire an individual who applies Christian principles to his life. He didn't just talk good. He didn't just tell a story, he created good and he created a life for many people.

There's nothing like looking in the eyes of an individual or a family who is moving in a new home, especially when the family was involved in that home, building that home, and helping build homes for other people. You have to admire him for what he did, and all the individuals in this country and other countries who give of their time, their talent and their resources for the betterment of humanity.

And at this point in time, I would ask for an ``aye'' vote on a man who deserves it.

I yield back the balance of my time.