Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise in support of H.R. 680. Mr. Speaker, we all know that one person's junk can be another person's jewel. That is…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 680. Mr. Speaker, we all know that one person's junk can be another person's jewel. That is why the Federal Government must, like any other well run organization, offer those goods, that it can no longer use, to people who need them. Current law limits the Federal Government's ability to give. It allows donations only to homeless people. That is an admirable start. H.R. 680, as amended, extends the giving arm of government to people who may not have lost their homes but are needy. The change will allow food banks and other organizations to better serve those people who, according to local standards, are living in poverty. In New York City, I am assured that organizations such as City Harvest, the Phoenix House, Day Top Village and local branches of the Salvation Army, where the real war on poverty is waged, will be better off with passage of this amendment. In addition, we all know that land is one of America's most precious resources. When the Federal Government finds itself with more than it needs, it has a moral responsibility to use it to help others. H.R. 680, as amended by the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Boehner], would also allow the donation of Federal surplus land to nonprofit groups such as the Habitat for Humanity, which provides homes for low-income families.”