Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and Homebuilders Association of Richmond "The Miracle on Grayland Avenue"

i I EXCERPTS FROM REMARKS MADE FOR RICHMOND METROPOLITAN HABITAT FOR HUMANITY AND HOMEBUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF RICHMOND "THE MIRACLE ON GRAYLAND AVENUE" 10:00 A.M. OCTOBER 5, 1990 RICHMOND, VIRGINIA BY GOVERNOR L. DOUGLAS WILDER I'm pleased to have this opportunity to be on hand today for what an event that is far more than a symbolic breaking of ground, but rather a tangible building of the future. On behalf of all Virginians, I commend the selflessness and the vision of the Homebuilders Association of Richmond. ... and of the Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity .... in committing their time, energy, and talents to this worthwhile endeavor. In 72-hours. .. .or less... a two-story, two-family townhouse will stand upon this site.... a testament to what is possible when forces for positive change pool their resources and love of humanity toward achieving a common end. Obviously, in these tight fiscal times, this impressive undertaking represents the kind of cooperation and sense of responsibility to the community that we desperately need from the private sector and other concerned parties. Since the earliest days of my career in public service, I have been deeply committed to housing issues throughout the Commonwealth . In fact, in 1970 - my first year in the State Senate - Lieutenant Governor J. Sergeant Reynolds. .. .knowing of my personal commitment to taking action on this critical issue. ... appointed me to serve on the Virginia Housing Study Commission. In the twenty years since that time, I have held true to my belief that making available basic shelter for those needing and seeking it should be a fundamental goal of all governments, businesses, and private citizens who value the worth and the dignity of the human life and spirit. And yet, in the final analysis, government itself is not the foundation of a community. It's the businesses, families, and individuals living within that community that are the bedrock of that foundation.