[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5992-S5993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       HONORING DONALD E. BARRIS

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to honor one of Michigan's 
finest lawyers, Donald E. Barris, who is celebrating his 80th birthday 
on June 21st. Born and raised in Detroit, Don Barris attended Detroit 
public schools and Wayne State University, from whose law he graduated 
in 1940. Don has spent

[[Page S5993]]

his entire professional life, now approaching 60 years, in private 
practice in downtown Detroit. In 1968, he co-founded the firm of 
Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker and is its senior partner.
  Known throughout southeastern Michigan as a premier trial lawyer, Don 
has also served as a trusted legal advisor to hundreds of families and 
businesses. Their problems have become his problems, as he passionately 
advocated their causes. Using his vast knowledge of zoning and land use 
law, Don has provided significant services to churches, synagogues and 
other non-profit institutions throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area. 
He has been recognized by these appreciative clients for the zeal with 
which he has furthered their interests, often taking no compensation 
for his work.
  Don Barris has been a generous benefactor of the Wayne State 
University Law School. He provided the funds for a student lounge named 
after his late wife, Miriam, and has contributed substantial resources 
to expand the Law School's computer laboratory. The Donald E. Barris 
Trial Practice Fund was established at the Law School by his law firm 
to honor his legal talents and many contributions to Wayne State.
  It is a pleasure to recognize and honor Donald E. Barris, a great 
lawyer and a great humanitarian, on the occasion of his 80th 
birthday.

                          ____________________