[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 151 (Monday, November 3, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S11598]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM DAVIDSON

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a truly 
outstanding business leader and philanthropist from my home State of 
Michigan, William Davidson. Bill Davidson has been chosen as the 
honorary chair of the Council of Michigan Foundations 25th annual 
conference, which takes place November 5-7, 1997.
  Bill Davidson is one of Michigan's most renowned businesspeople. He 
is the chairman of the board and president of Guardian Industries, an 
international manufacturer of flat glass products for the construction 
and automotive industries. He is also the majority owner of the Detroit 
Pistons Basketball Club, the Palace Sports and Entertainment Arena, 
Pine Knob Music Theater, the Detroit Vipers hockey team, and the 
Detroit Neon soccer team.
  Bill has received numerous citations and awards for his philanthropic 
activities, his contributions to the glass industry, and professional 
sports. Some of these awards include the Phoenix Award, an honorary 
doctoral degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, the 
Order of Merit in Labor of the Highest Class from the Republic of 
Venezuela, the Fred M. Butzel Award for Distinguished Community 
Service, and membership in the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
  One of Bill Davidson's most remarkable traits is his commitment to 
improving the lives of people throughout the world. Giving is an 
important part of his life, and he is known locally and nationally for 
his philanthropic vision and generosity. He does not take success for 
granted and is most thankful for what he has achieved. As a result, he 
chooses to support institutions and programs which help develop the 
minds and bodies of tomorrow's leaders.
  It is this commitment to philanthropy that was the guiding force for 
his creation of the Pistons-Palace Foundation, the philanthropic arm of 
the Detroit Pistons and the Palace of Auburn Hills. Bill Davidson and 
the foundation have contributed millions of dollars to support 
meaningful youth and recreation programs throughout metropolitan 
Detroit. The Pistons-Palace Foundation is quickly gaining recognition 
in the National Basketball Association and receiving national attention 
for its work in the city of Detroit, specifically through the PARK 
program, which works to revitalize neighborhoods by refurbishing and 
renovating parks and installing outdoor basketball courts and other 
recreation equipment at sites.
  Developing tomorrow's leaders through higher education is another of 
Bill Davidson's highest priorities. He contributed $35 million to 
establish the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan 
School of Business Administration. The institute strives to help 
countries as they make the transition to free market economies and to 
assist companies which seek to operate successfully in those countries. 
To that end, the Davidson Institute offers seminars for business and 
government leaders from countries with economies in transition and 
develops faculty fellows who teach or work in those countries upon 
completion of the program. Bill also established the world's first 
educational institution entirely dedicated to the international 
management of technology-based companies at the Technion-Israel 
Institute of Technology. Bill Davidson's commitment to keeping Jewish 
education strong led him to help to create graduate school of Jewish 
education at the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York 
City, which trains educators for North America.
  It is not possible to do Bill Davidson's lifetime of good works 
justice in a few words, but there is no doubt among anyone who knows of 
him that he is a truly remarkable person. His dedication to improving 
people's lives and the unpretentious way he goes about that quest has 
earned him respect and gratitude from countless people around the 
world. Millions more who will never know of Bill Davidson have 
benefited from his efforts and accomplishments.
  Mr. President, all of us in this body can learn from the examples set 
by Bill Davidson. I know my colleagues will join me in offering him 
congratulations and best wishes on this important occasion.

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