[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 133 (Tuesday, September 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNITION OF THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRAVELERS AID SOCIETY OF 
                                DETROIT

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
Travelers Aid Society of Detroit, which is celebrating its 75th 
Anniversary on October 15, 1998. Travelers Aid has been an important 
part of Metropolitan Detroit's network of community service 
organizations since its inception in 1923.
  Travelers Aid was first created as an arm of the YWCA to assist young 
women who had recently settled in Detroit. In 1923, as the City of 
Detroit was growing by leaps and bounds, the Travelers Aid Society of 
Detroit was chartered as an independent institution to serve people who 
became stranded or lost. Since its chartering as an independent 
institution, Travelers Aid has broadened its activities from its 
original mandate to include assisting men and women, the homeless, 
runaway youths, victims of domestic violence, children traveling alone, 
the physically challenged and travelers at Detroit Metropolitan 
Airport. Travelers Aid has developed innovative programs, like Homeward 
Bound and the Supportive Housing Opportunities Program, which have 
helped thousands of people recover from homelessness. Each year, 
Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Travelers Aid helps 250 runaway children 
find their way back home and introduces 150 adopted babies from foreign 
lands to their new American families. Along with the City of Detroit 
and the Lovelight Foundation, Travelers Aid sponsors the annual ``A 
Special Gift'' Christmas party for 2,500 homeless children at Detroit's 
Cobo Hall.
  On October 15, 1998, many people from my hometown will join together 
at the historic Wayne County Building to celebrate Travelers Aid's 75 
years of service to the community. This celebration is being chaired by 
N. Brewster Broder, with the assistance of Honorary Chair Nettie 
Seabrooks and Honorary Co-Chairs Charlie Williams and Larry Givens. 
Community Service awards will be given to four outstanding individuals 
whose commitment to improving their community is truly inspiring. The 
award recipients are Aaliyah, an Oscar nominated recording artist; 
Delphine Fairbanks, a tireless volunteer at Detroit Metropolitan 
Airport; Geneva Williams, COO of United Way Community Services; and 
William McKenzie of Michigan Rehabilitation Service.
  Mr. President, the men and women of the Travelers Aid Society of 
Detroit exemplify so many of the qualities that make our country great. 
Their dedication to their community, compassion for those in need and 
innovative problem-solving skills affect the lives of tens of thousands 
of people each year. I invite my colleagues to join me in expressing 
gratitude to the Travelers Aid Society of Detroit for the important 
services they have provided for the past 75 years, and in offering 
congratulations to the four Community Service Award recipients on this 
special occasion.

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