Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford statement on storming of U.S. Capitol
ATLANTA (Jan. 6, 2021) – Habitat for Humanity International CEO Jonathan Reckford issued the following statement regarding the storming of the U.S. Capitol today:
“In America, we celebrate what John Adams called ‘A government of laws and not of men.’ We celebrate our rights to peaceably assemble and say what’s on our minds. We defend those rights, even when exercised by those we disagree with.
“What we’ve seen in our nation’s capital today is not the exercise of those rights. What we’ve seen instead was violent, mob rule, targeted at the very beating heart of our democracy — the people elected to carry our voices and the sacred halls that house the people’s branch of our government.
“My grandmother, Millicent Fenwick, served our nation in that building for eight years. Walter Cronkite once called her the ‘conscience of Congress’ for always standing for her virtuous principles. She was fiercely committed to justice and improving conditions for others. And she loved our country.
“She would be ashamed by what happened in the Capitol today.
“I am ashamed, and I am sad. But I also need to be hopeful. And I draw on you, my Habitat family, for that hope.
“Habitat for Humanity builds community around the world. We bring people together, crossing lines of race, class, nationality and religion. We share Dr. King’s vision of building a Beloved Community – a place that that doesn’t eliminate our differences, but celebrates them, allows for tension undergirded by love and leads to transformation.
“Tonight, I am praying for our leaders to find the judgment and wisdom they need to reset our course and join that most important work. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a season for everything. Now is our time to heal.”
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort on a community farm in southern Georgia. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Families and individuals in need of a hand up partner with Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, visit habitat.org.