Christopher Shays: “I want to say with tremendous gratitude that my predecessor, Stewart B. McKinney, cared deeply about housing issues and…”

“I want to say with tremendous gratitude that my predecessor, Stewart B. McKinney, cared deeply about housing issues and the provision of housing for people in need, particularly the homeless. I appreciated Congress' desire to name the McKinney Act after him, and am very supportive of what the gentleman from New York (Mr. Lazio) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) have done in consolidating seven programs into a single block grant, with emphasis on permanent housing and coordination among other agencies to leverage necessary supportive services and greater local flexibility. I strongly support the bill's focus on permanent housing and supportive services to help homeless families find and keep a permanent home. I appreciate the recognition on the part of this Congress that the McKinney Act is a very important part of our homeless effort, and that this act remains intact under his name.”