Rep. Cushingberry offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 221.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact H.R. 3498, the Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Program Act of 2007.

            Whereas, Vacant residential properties are a scourge on local neighborhoods. They ravage housing values, foster crime, and promote further urban decay. Clearly, every effort should be made to combat the problem of vacant housing, explore creative and innovative uses for vacant land, and bring safety and stability to our communities; and

            Whereas, Legislation introduced in the current United States Congress, H.R. 3498, the Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Program Act of 2007, and a related measure in the Senate, S. 2054, would be an important first step in addressing the problems of vacant housing and neighborhood reclamation. This vital legislation would create a new housing demolition program and provide local grants for initiatives relating to the creative reuse of vacant land. The bill would specifically appropriate $100 million in funds over three years for local vacant housing demolition and revitalization grant programs. These funds would be a supplement to federal housing funds and would not count against communities seeking funds for any other U.S. Housing and Urban Development program funding; and

            Whereas, Vacant and dangerous housing has long been recognized as one of the most serious problems facing our urban landscape. This has been reflected by state legislation adopted in Michigan to deal with abandoned buildings and by components of a variety of related federal programs. The Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Program Act of 2007, however, is the first effort to comprehensively address the problems of vacant housing and neighborhood revitalization at the federal level. It is legislation most deserving of our strong support and merits prompt congressional action; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we hereby memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact H.R. 3498, the Neighborhood Reclamation and Revitalization Program Act of 2007; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.