[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 103 (Thursday, June 22, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORDINATION OF FATHER CUNNINGHAM 
                          INTO THE PRIESTHOOD

                                 ______


                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 1995
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 40th 
anniversary of the ordination of Father William T. Cunningham into the 
priesthood, which he will observe this Sunday, June 25, at the Catholic 
Church of the Madonna, in Detroit, MI. Father Cunningham has served as 
pastor there since 1969.
  Father Cunningham is a life-long Detroiter and has committed his life 
to social and economic justice in Detroit. In 1968, following the 
Detroit riots, Father Cunningham founded Focus: HOPE, a civil and human 
rights organization with the goal of resolving the effects of 
discrimination and injustice and to build integration in our riot-torn 
community. Over the years, Focus: HOPE grew to develop the Food 
Prescription Program, which distributes USDA commodities to 52,000 low-
income mothers and children each month, and developed the Food for 
Seniors Program, which provides a monthly food supplement to 34,000 
elderly poor in the Detroit area.
  Under Father Cunningham's leadership, Focus: HOPE expanded its scope 
in the 1980's to include manufacturing training. Today three 
manufacturing technology training programs function for minority youth 
and others. The latest, and most advanced, is the Center for Advanced 
Technologies which opened 2 years ago. This national demonstration 
project offers a 6-year curriculum which combines structured work 
experience with applied engineering study conducted by a consortium of 
Michigan universities. Graduates will be engineer/technicians; able to 
build, operate, maintain, repair, and modify advanced manufacturing 
equipment at world-competitive levels.
  Father Cunningham has served on a number of public service boards 
including the State of Michigan's Task Force on Vandalism and Violence 
in the Schools, the State and city Task Forces on Hunger and 
Malnutrition, the State Holiday Commission for Martin Luther King Jr., 
the Citizens Commission to Improve Michigan Courts, and many others.
  Father Cunningham's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed. He has 
been honored with many notable awards including the NAACP's Ira W. 
Jayne Memorial Medal, the Temple Israel Brotherhood Award, the Bishop 
Donnelly Alumni Award, the Jefferson Award, the UCS Executive of the 
Year Award, the Jessie Slaton Award of the Detroit Association of Black 
Organizations, the National Governor's Association Award, twice, the 
1987 Detroit News Michiganian of the Year Award, the Salvation Army's 
William Booth Award, the Marquette University Alumni Award, and the 
University of Michigan 1993 Business Leadership Award and honorary 
membership in the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
  Father Cunningham has dedicated his life to serving others. After 40 
years in the priesthood and more than 26 at the helm of Focus: HOPE, 
Father Cunningham has touched the lives of thousands. In this day and 
age, with our city suffering from decades of neglect, it is important 
to recognize the accomplishments of those who have dedicated themselves 
to improving the lives of those less fortunate. So I hope that you will 
all join me in congratulating Father Cunningham for his years of hard 
work and perseverance. Detroit is a better place to live because of 
Father Cunningham's hard work and dedication to making Detroit 
healthier, stronger, friendlier and more prosperous. Father Cunningham 
is a true hero.


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