[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11799-S11800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH UNITED WAY TORCH DRIVE

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to call my colleagues' 
attention to a remarkable example of community commitment taking place 
in my home state of Michigan this fall, the United Way Torch Drive. 
This year will mark the 50th United Way Torch Drive in metropolitan 
Detroit.
  The Torch Drive was officially kicked off in 1949 by General Mark 
Clark with a goal of raising $8,550,000. Many people doubted that this 
goal could be reached. During that period of time, similar fundraising 
campaigns in other cities were falling short of their goals. However, 
the people of the Detroit area proved the skeptics wrong, contributing 
almost $9.3 million to the Torch Drive in three weeks. The metropolitan 
Detroit Torch Drive was the first such drive in the country, and its 
success has been a model for cities throughout the country.
  The Detroit Torch Drive has been helped by local and nationally 
recognized Americans from every walk of life. Business leaders like Max 
Fisher and Lee Iacocca have lent their time and talents to the Drive. 
Entertainers like Jackie Gleason, Audrey Hepburn and the Supremes have 
donated time as

[[Page S11800]]

well. National and local media stars, from Walter Cronkite to J.P. 
McCarthy have made themselves available to help. And sports stars, from 
Hockey Hall of Fame player Gordie Howe to current Detroit Pistons star 
Grant Hill, pitch in as needed. But as impressive as this list of 
famous people is, United Way representatives will tell you that it is 
the dedication and heart of the people of metropolitan Detroit which 
make the Torch Drive a success year after year. Thanks to them, the 
United Way is able to support more than 130 agencies in metropolitan 
Detroit, providing assistance to people in need and solutions to long 
term problems like homelessness, substance abuse, hunger and mental 
illness.
  Mr. President, I have many reasons to be proud to be a Detroiter. One 
of the strongest reasons for my pride is the generosity and warm-
heartedness of my neighbors. I hope my colleagues will join me in 
thanking the tens of thousands of people who have made the annual 
United Way Torch Drive such an overwhelming success over the past 50 
years, and in looking forward to the next 50 years of giving help and 
hope to people in need in metropolitan Detroit.

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