By Carolyn Merryweather
November 3, 2003

Conference President Hempstead (NY) Mayor James A. Garner received the Mortgage Bankers Association's first Investing in Communities Award at their 90th Annual Convention and Expo in San Diego October 21. Garner received the award for his dedication to promoting homeownership, affordable rental housing, and commercial development in Hempstead during his years as mayor. Recently, Garner has attracted three shopping centers, overseen redevelopment of a senior citizen and affordable housing unit, and construction of a multi-mode transportation center.

"This is a great honor for me, the citizens of Hempstead, and all the people who work hard to bring needed investment to America's communities," Garner told the Mortgage Bankers. "I feel honored to be the first recipient of MBA's Investing in Communities Award. The recognition of this award for the work we have done to bring new investment, development and opportunity for growth in Hempstead also demonstrates the work that mayors all across our nation are doing in their communities to increase homeownership opportunities, ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing and attract investment to build and maintain communities."

Garner also had the opportunity to speak at the "Blueprint for the American Dream" Roundtable in San Diego, which dealt with barriers to minority homeownership, and opportunities to tear down those barriers. At that session, Garner urged the Mortgage Bankers to be more aggressive in their outreach programs to improve financial literacy and credit worthiness. He also urged mayors to develop and promote a national financial literacy initiative.

Rob Couch, Chairman of MBA said that, "Mayor Garner has done a terrific job in Hempstead, and is the right choice to receive our organization's first award. We hope that mayors across America will join us as we strengthen our ongoing commitment to investing in communities."

Garner concluded by saying, "Our metro areas, our cities and suburbs are the engines of our national economy, and together we can build neighborhoods and communities that we are proud to pass on to our children."