[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1631-E1632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO CHUCK DHARTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, the March of Dimes is an organization with a 
noble mission: to fight birth defects and childhood diseases. We all 
share the March of Dimes dream that every child should have the 
opportunity to live a healthy life.
  For the past 14 years, the southeast Michigan chapter of the March of 
Dimes Birth Defects Foundation has honored several Macomb County 
residents who are outstanding members of our community and have helped 
in the campaign for healthier babies. This evening, the chapter will be 
hosting the 14th annual ``Alexander Macomb Citizen of the Year'' award 
dinner. The award, instituted in 1984, is named after my home county's 
namesake, Gen. Alexander Macomb, a hero of the War of 1812.
  This year, the March of Dimes has chosen Chuck Dharte as a recipient 
of the award. When Chuck retired from his position as chairman of the 
board and CEO of Huntington Bank of Michigan in 1996, he did not retire 
from public service. He has continued to serve on the board of St. 
Joseph's Mercy Hospitals of Macomb and as president of the Boys and 
Girls Club of southeastern Michigan while remaining active with the 
March of Dimes. As he recently said about receiving the award, ``I am 
still at a loss for words. And I assure you, I will continue in my care 
and support of this great human endeavor.'' Chuck's involvement within 
the community exemplifies his commitment to fighting birth defects.

[[Page E1632]]

  Dr. Jonas Salk's polio vaccine is just one of the more famous 
breakthroughs that would not have been possible without March of Dimes 
research funding. And, without people like Chuck Dharte the job of 
protecting babies would be that much more difficult.
  I applaud the southeast Michigan chapter of the March of Dimes and 
Chuck Dharte for their leadership, advocacy, and community service. I 
know that Chuck is honored by the recognition and I urge my colleagues 
to join me in saluting him as a 1997 recipient of the Alexander Macomb 
Citizen of the Year Award.

                          ____________________