Industry Coalition Pledges $25MM

A coalition of groups and companies from the housing and mortgage finance industry has pledged $25million to support victims, families, rescue workers, and others affected by the terrorist attacks and hijackingson Sept. 11. The goal of the effort is to provide relief, including grief counseling and psychologicalservices, financial support for housing-related rebuilding in Lower Manhattan, and mortgage and rental paymentassistance. "America's strength, spirit and resolve have never been greater," a joint statement said."The housing and mortgage industry stands united and ready to help the country cope with this terrible tragedy,to rebuild, and to heal. We have complete faith that this nation will stand tall after the tragic events of theday." The statement was attributed to executives of the coalition partners: Franklin D. Raines, chairman andchief executive officer of Fannie Mae; Leland C. Brendsel, chairman and CEO of Freddie Mac; Bruce C. Smith, presidentof the National Association of Home Builders; Richard A. Mendenhall, president of the National Association of Realtors;Andrew Woodward, president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America; Kenneth Guenther, president of the IndependentCommunity Bankers of America; Leonard Wood, chairman of the National Multi Housing Council; and Rick Davis, presidentof the Homeownership Alliance.