U2 on HUD secretary's playlist

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson, preceding Bono on stage at the Mortgage Bankers Association's convention in Boston today, told the U2 frontman he admires his music and his advocacy. "Pride (In the Name of Love)" -- U2's tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -- "is played often in my home," Jackson revealed. So often, he said, that his neighbor is probably tired of hearing it.

Jackson told Bono that he marched with Dr. King in Selma, Alabama, and that "if he were living today, he would embrace you as his brother."

Bono, who travels the world drumming up support for charities that provide aid and promote trade with Africa, delivered a funny, self-effacing and persuasive speech advocating a greater role in the region for America and the West. He mentioned the turmoil in mortgage lending only in passing, and said nothing that could be considered controversial -- even his impression of German President Horst Köhler was good-natured.

I'd say more, but according to the MBA, Bono's speech was off the record -- somewhat bizarre, considering that he addresses such groups to generate publicity for Africa-related charities he's founded or lent his name to, including (Product) Red, the ONE Campaign to Make Poverty History, and DATA (debt, AIDS, trade, Africa).

Jackson renewed his calls for Congress to pass an FHA modernization bill, which he said would help provide loan guarantees to 800,000 families in the next two years. 

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