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Honoring the Extraordinary Service of Jim Dion
House of Representatives - December 6, 2005
Extension of Remarks

Mr. Speaker, at the complicated intersection of housing, poverty and community development issues, one man has shined as a guiding light. Mr. Jim Dion, assistant executive director for Housing Operations at the King County Housing Authority, has devoted his life to ensuring that our low-income neighbors--be they families, victims of domestic violence, seniors or people with disabilities--live in high quality affordable housing. After three decades of distinguished public service in King County, WA, Mr. Dion is about to retire. He is a living testament to the power that a single individual possesses to help provide quality affordable housing opportunities, build communities, encourage self-sufficiency and protect the dignity of people with limited resources, while safeguarding the public trust.

The child of a minister father and a social worker mother, Mr. Dion undoubtedly acquired a keen sense of public service from an early age. Perhaps that explains his rise through. the ranks from a property manager overseeing 700 units of family and elderly public housing in 1974 to a senior executive currently administering more than 4,300 units of housing as well as rental subsidies for 8,200 additional households.

During his career, Mr. Dion expanded the housing safety net in King County through a number of additional Federal and local programs and by partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide on-site services to residents.

Mr. Dion also worked diligently to promote acceptance of low-income housing in several high-cost suburban cities such as Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland, areas of the county with excellent job bases. Mr. Dion's involvement in this initiative, along with the well-managed, well-maintained housing he oversaw, paved the way for favorable community response to low-income housing in affluent areas and continues to ensure that living in these cities is a viable option for struggling families.

While administering housing for more than 12,500 households is a staggering enough accomplishment in itself, Mr. Dion did so as a model of efficiency and effectiveness. Since HUD has had an evaluation process in effect, Mr. Dion led his staff to achieve HUD's highest ratings for both KCHA's section 8 and public housing programs, reflecting his hard work and his commitment to the families and individuals he served.

Awards from industry housing organizations for KCHA programs and properties under Mr. Dion's jurisdiction have been practically commonplace.

Mr. Dion also tackled issues beyond the scope of "bricks and sticks." With his strong belief in the ability of people to overcome difficult circumstances with appropriate support, Mr. Dion is credited for laying the foundation of what is now the Resident Services Department at the housing authority.

Mr. Dion's commitment to public service did not stop with King County. For most of his 30-year career, he has also been an active member of the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials, serving on its Housing Committee and its Board of Governors at the national level, as well as in various positions of leadership at the regional and chapter levels. His unparalleled grasp of the regulatory process made him a truly respected voice on Capitol Hill.

Home is where we raise our children. Home is where we hope to age in the company of our friends and family. Home is where vulnerable individuals and families can maintain their dignity and gain a foothold in self-sufficiency. Through Mr. Dion's thoughtful, compassionate leadership, thousands of people have improved the quality of their lives because they had a good, safe home.

As the sun sets on his career, it is only fitting that we acknowledge the 30 extraordinary years of Mr. Dion's dedicated public service. My sincere congratulations to Mr. Dion, whose calm, reasoned approach to ensuring quality housing and services for our most vulnerable residents has forever instilled in his colleagues at the King County Housing Authority and in Washington's congressional delegation the importance of providing the best possible support to families and individuals in need. He leaves a legacy of hard work, compassion and high standards that serves as an example to us all.