Realtors endorse Bush's HUD nominee

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The National Association of Realtors Jan. 19 outlined its formal endorsement of President George W. Bush's nomination of Mel Martinez as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. NAR delivered its endorsement in a letter addressed to members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.|ret||ret||tab|

"As Chairman of Florida's Growth Management Study Commission and the Orlando Housing Authority, Mr. Martinez successfully advocated difficult policies and initiatives promoting affordable homeownership and rental opportunities for all Americans," NAR President Richard Mendenhall wrote.|ret||ret||tab|

"The National Association of Realtors believes his local government experience has prepared him well to fully grasp the nuances of HUD and the role the federal housing budget and policy play in the lives of local residents and communities."|ret||ret||tab|

Lee Verstandig, NAR's senior vice president for government affairs, echoed Mendenhall's thoughts:|ret||ret||tab|

"I'm confident that Mr. Martinez will import the energy and imagination he displayed at the local level to the broad spectrum of housing issues that he will confront as HUD Secretary. I also feel certain that he will not hesitate to use the expertise and knowledge of Realtors, our diverse boards and associations, and our expert staff members to forge strong and viable partnerships to address the critical issues in housing and homeownership that still await critical consideration and solution," Verstandig said. |ret||ret||tab|

Verstandig further emphasized the importance including a great symphony of voices in the making of housing policy. "Under the stewardship of Secretary Martinez, the HUD Department will play a significant role in the formulation and success of national housing policy ..."|ret||ret||tab|

Verstandig added, "NAR believes that any attempt to address federal housing issues at a national level must encompass ideas, visions, and energies from across the spectrum of housing-related groups, and is glad to offer Secretary Martinez the benefits of its members' knowledge of real estate, experience, and technical resources to work together in maintaining productive federal mortgage-finance and housing programs."|ret||ret||tab|

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