[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 23 (Monday, March 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1657-S1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    30th ANNIVERSARY OF FOCUS: HOPE

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 30th 
Anniversary of Focus: HOPE. On March 8, 1968, Focus: HOPE adopted the 
following resolution:

       Recognizing the dignity and beauty of every person we 
     pledge intelligent and practical action to overcome racism, 
     poverty and injustice. And to build a metropolitan community 
     where all people may live in freedom, harmony, trust and 
     affection. Black and white, yellow, brown and red, from 
     Detroit and its suburbs of every economic status, national 
     origin and religious persuasion we join in this covenant.

  In those simple, poetic words, Focus: HOPE began a journey that has 
remained true to its original vision thirty years later. Focus: HOPE 
was founded in one of the Detroit's most economically depressed areas 
by the late Father William T. Cunningham and Executive Director Eleanor 
Josaitis in the aftermath of the 1967 Detroit riots. Focus: HOPE's 
efforts initially centered on healing along racial lines, but in time 
have evolved into something much greater. As Father Cunningham has 
said, ``traditional societal cancers like racism are so interrelated 
with other socioeconomic challenges that we can't look at a problem 
without looking at (the) whole context.''
  In the 1970's, Focus: HOPE began its Food Prescription Program which 
continues to provide monthly supplemental food to low-income pregnant 
and postpartum mothers, infants and preschool children. The 1970s also 
saw Focus: HOPE take a leadership role in securing low-interest 
mortgage and automobile loans for African-Americans, designing a race 
relations training program for desegregated schools, and establishing 
Focus: HOPE's WALK for Justice, an annual march through Detroit to show 
interracial harmony.
  The 1980's was a time of radical evolution for Focus: HOPE. During 
this period, Focus: HOPE transformed itself into the nationally 
recognized center for education and training that it is today. It 
established FAST TRACK, a computer assisted course which improves the 
reading and math skills of high school graduates. FAST TRACK prepares 
students for entry into the Machinist Training Institute (MTI), which 
produces skilled machinists who are needed in local industry and are 
able to command good salaries. Focus: HOPE also established its Center 
for Children, a Montessori school which supports the children of Focus: 
HOPE's faculty, students and the surrounding neighborhood. Focus: HOPE 
also established the Food for Seniors program which provides monthly 
supplemental food to low-income senior citizens. In order to support 
all of Focus: HOPE's programs, several for-profit companies were 
established.
  The 1990's have seen Focus: HOPE continue to expand. In 1993, Focus: 
HOPE's Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) was established to allow 
interested MTI students to continue their education. This 
internationally recognized program awards associate's and bachelor's 
degrees in manufacturing engineering. Focus: HOPE is looking to the 
future by planning the establishment of Tech Villas, a state of the art 
residential learning center linked to the CAT, fulfilling the goal of 
becoming a national demonstration center for advanced manufacturing and 
training.

[[Page S1658]]

  Over the years, I have had the great opportunity to be with President 
Clinton, Gen. Colin Powell, Secretary 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. Focus: 
HOPE has 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.''
  While the past thirty years have undoubtedly been a great success for 
Focus: HOPE, 1997 was a very trying time for all who care deeply about 
this community. On May 26, Father William Cunningham, founder and 
inspiration of Focus: HOPE, passed away after a spirited battle against 
cancer. On July 2, the Focus: HOPE campus and the surrounding 
neighborhood were struck by a tornado, causing great damage to Focus: 
HOPE buildings. Under the magnificent leadership of Eleanor Josaitis 
and the hard work of the entire staff, Focus: HOPE has rebuilt and 
rededicated itself to Father Cunningham's vision. This difficult year 
has brought the community closer together as they celebrate the 30th 
Anniversary of the ``Miracle on Oakman Boulevard,'' Focus: 
HOPE.

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