The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“COMMEMORATING CHIP HALBACH'S RETIREMENT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1587-E1588 on Nov. 16, 2017.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
COMMEMORATING CHIP HALBACH'S RETIREMENT
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HON. KEITH ELLISON
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate Chip Halbach's retirement in September of 2017 after 30 years of service with the Minnesota Housing Partnership.
Chip has long been an advocate for affordable housing for Minnesota residents. In 1987, Chip founded Minneapolis Housing Partnership (MHP). MHP convenes, guides, and supports a diversity of partners working to improve conditions of home and community. Initially, MHP's focus was informing housing groups and partners on pending legislation. MHP evolved to become a major provider of technical assistance and financial support to increase the capacity of organizations building and developing affordable housing. MHP has served as an intermediary for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Seeing the need to bring together the affordable housing community, Chip Halbach started the Homes for All Coalition. The Homes for All Coalition is a statewide coalition that works to provide safe, stable, and affordable housing for people across all income levels. From working to increase rental subsidies, to improving infrastructure at manufactured housing parks, and resources for first time homebuyers, Homes for All is tackling the diverse range of housing issues facing Minnesotans.
Chip is widely known for his encyclopedic knowledge of federal and state housing programs, sophisticated housing finance tools and their history. Policymakers and elected officials have often drawn on Chip's wealth of knowledge and expertise in the affordable housing field. Many have cheekily quipped, ``before `Google' there was Chip Halbach.''
Chip Halbach's leadership has helped shape legislation, provided education, and secured money to create safe, decent, affordable places for families and individuals to live. His steady leadership leaves the Minnesota Housing Partnership poised to move forward in tackling our affordable housing crisis. I want to thank Mr. Halbach for all his years of service. His presence will be missed, but his contributions will not be forgotten.
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