[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 30 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FATHER WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to Father 
William T. Cunningham, who will be recognized by the Hartford Optimist 
Club of Detroit as 1997 Optimist of the Year. Father Cunningham is 
being honored for his efforts to ``optimistically build a renaissance 
in Detroit for the 21st century.''
  A longtime advocate of social justice and racial equality, Father 
Cunningham is one of the most respected and admired people in Michigan. 
In 1968, he and cofounder Eleanor Josaitis began a civil and human 
rights organization in Detroit called Focus:HOPE. Focus:HOPE provides a 
unique combination of programs which seek to improve race relations, 
deliver food to 86,000 low-income women, children and elderly each 
month, and provide advanced technology training for low-income young 
men and women. Father Cunningham and Focus:HOPE have changed the lives 
of thousands of people throughout metropolitan Detroit by bringing to 
life the proverb ``Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day; 
teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.''
  Father Cunningham's commitment to the people of Detroit has never 
wavered. I have been proud to be with President Clinton, Gen. Colin 
Powell, Ron Brown and many others on tours of Focus:HOPE. While each of 
these dignitaries has walked away impressed by the size and scope of 
Focus:HOPE's mission, they have been equally inspired by the spiritual 
nature of Focus:HOPE and by the man whose vision and hard work have 
made Focus:HOPE the success it is today.
  Today, Mr. President, Father Cunningham's optimism is in full public 
view as he fights a battle against cancer. His determination to 
continue his legendary career serving the people of Detroit is as 
strong as ever. Father Cunningham's faith and courage is an inspiration 
to all who witness it.
  Father William Cunningham is an American treasure. I know my 
colleagues will join me in congratulating Father Cunningham as he 
receives the ``1997 Optimist of the Year'' award, and in wishing him 
good health and continued success in the years ahead.

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