Senate Concurrent Resolution 526

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF JAMES R. "BOBBY" RAYBURN DURING HIS PRESIDENCY OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERS.

WHEREAS, Mississippi home builder, James R. "Bobby" Rayburn, has successfully championed the cause of the workforce and affordable housing throughout his 34-year career and as President of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in 2004; and

WHEREAS, he has focused the efforts of the 215,000 members of the NAHB on improving housing affordability and expanding housing opportunities for millions of working families, particularly teachers, police officers, fire fighters and other moderate income workers who are the heartbeat of any community; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Rayburn has personally lobbied Congress and the administration in this regard, organized media events and spoken in hundreds of venues to expand public awareness of the issue nationwide; and

WHEREAS, having earned statewide acclaim and the highest regard of his colleagues through his service in a variety of industry leadership positions, including president of his state and local home builder associations, Mr. Rayburn was named Builder of the Year by the Hattiesburg Home Builders Association in 1979 and was elected to the Mississippi Housing Hall of Fame in 1999; and

WHEREAS, in the course of his career he has personally been involved in building and developing more than 3,300 single-family and multifamily homes for working families across the State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, having served as President of the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, cofounded the Home Builders Association of Mississippi's student chapter, and served on the board of the local chamber of commerce, he has been an active and dedicated servant of his community; and

WHEREAS, as NAHB President he has led the industry that has been a primary engine for economic growth and stability throughout the recent recovery, with all-time records for new home sales and homeownership achieved on his watch; and

WHEREAS, in all the capacities above, Mr. Rayburn has had a positive impact on the national, state and local economy, boosting job growth and a sense of pride in Mississippi and across the nation; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and commend excellence in outstanding Mississippians such as Mr. Rayburn, whose diligent service as President of the National Association of Home Builders has been monumental in changing the lives of countless thousands across this state and nation:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate James R. "Bobby" Rayburn for his extraordinary efforts to improve housing and homeownership opportunities for working families throughout his 34-year building career and his term as President of the National Association of Home Builders in 2004 and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Rayburn and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.