[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S10819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PETER KARMANOS, JR.

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
achievements of Mr. Peter Karmanos, Jr., Peter who is being honored on 
November 4, 1997, by the Detroit B'nai B'rith Foundation with the 1997 
Great American Traditions Award.
  B'nai B'rith is awarding its highest honor, the Great American 
Traditions Award, to Peter Karmanos for ``. . . his concern for the 
sick, for his understanding of the abused, and for the quiet, 
unassuming way he provides for others.''
  Peter Karmanos is a name with which many people around the Nation are 
familiar. Some know him because he is the chairman, CEO, and cofounder 
of Compuware Corp., which is one of the largest independent software 
vendors in the world. Peter helped to make a small startup company into 
Michigan's fifth largest exporter, a company with more than 7,000 
employees worldwide. Peter has striven to make Compuware a healthy and 
friendly place to work, providing a company-subsidized cafeteria, day-
care center, and wellness center, as well as racquetball and basketball 
courts at its world headquarters in Farmington Hills, MI.
  Others know of Peter Karmanos because he co-owns the Carolina 
Hurricanes of the National Hockey League and the Plymouth Whalers of 
the Ontario Hockey League. Peter's passion for hockey has led him to 
sponsor youth hockey teams, which have given countless young people the 
opportunity to play the sport Peter loves so much.
  Peter Karmanos has earned a reputation as an outstanding leader in 
his industry and in the world of sports. But he is perhaps most 
remarkable for the extraordinary support he has given to efforts to 
make his community a healthier and safer place. In 1995, Peter made the 
single largest contribution in Michigan history to fight cancer, 
donating $15 million to establish the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer 
Institute, in honor of his first wife. The institute integrated the 
efforts of the major cancer-fighting organizations in Detroit--the 
Michigan Cancer Foundation, the Meyer L. Prentis Comprehensive Cancer 
Center, the Detroit Medical Center, and Wayne State University. Peter 
and his wife, Debra, have involved Compuware in the nationwide cancer 
research fundraiser ``A Race for the Cure.'' Debra and Peter also 
cochaired the first ever major fundraiser for HAVEN, a shelter for 
abused women.
  Mr. President, Peter Karmanos truly exemplifies the spirit of the 
B'nai B'rith Great American Traditions Award. His corporate citizenship 
and dedication to improving the lives of others are truly an 
inspiration. I hope my colleagues will join with me in offering 
congratulations and best wishes to Peter Karmanos on this important 
occasion.

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