[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E761]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          WILLIAM DAVIDSON TO RECEIVE DOCTOR OF HUMANE LETTERS

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 1996

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, next week, Bill Davidson, a good friend and 
a great American, will receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters 
from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. In recognizing Bill's 
many accomplishments and extraordinary commitment to improving our 
country, the Jewish Theological Seminary speaks for the many people in 
his community and around the world who have benefited from Bill's 
extraordinary wisdom and philanthropy.
  Bill Davidson is the chairman of the board and president of Guardian 
Industries Corp. of Northville, MI. Under his wise direction, Guardian 
has become a solid industrial asset to our economy, as well as a 
conscientious corporate citizen. Guardian has also been an ambassador 
of American engineering and way of doing business through its 
pioneering ventures overseas. These ventures have helped emerging 
democracies develop a more solid economic base while increasing 
American presence and influence abroad.
  While running his hugely successful company, Bill found the time to 
volunteer for numerous community organizations. His generosity was 
recognized in 1992, when he was given the Jewish community's highest 
honor for outstanding volunteer service, the Fred M. Butzel Memorial 
Award for Distinguished Community Service. He has given generously of 
his time and resources to educational institutions, Detroit community 
organizations, and Jewish organizations nationwide.
  Not one to confine himself to the roles of successful businessman and 
community activist, Bill is also the majority owner of the Detroit 
Pistons basketball club, the Palace Sports and Entertainment Arena, the 
Detroit Vipers hockey team and the Detroit Neon soccer team. He was 
inducted into the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1985.
  I commend the Jewish Theological Seminary for recognizing Bill 
Davidson with a prestigious Honoris Causa. This honorary degree is a 
testament to Bill's outstanding and continuing contributions to the 
education and enrichment of the Jewish community and our nation. I 
invite my colleagues to join me in expressing our gratitude and most 
heartfelt congratulations to Bill Davidson on this most joyous 
occasion.

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