[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 35 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR WALTER C. WATKINS JR.

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to acknowledge Mr. 
Walter C. Watkins, Jr., recipient of this year's March of Dimes 
``Humanitarian of the Year Award.'' Mr. Watkins' distinguished career 
in the field of banking began in 1968, when he joined NBD as a 
management trainee. Mr. Watkins has since gone on to become the 
President of NBD Bank in Michigan, and head of BANK ONE'S middle market 
customers in Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky.
  Mr. Watkins is a member of the board of Fisk University, as well as 
the boards of the Detroit Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the 
Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC). In addition, Mr. Watkins 
serves on the advisory board of Black Family Development, Inc., and is 
a member of the Urban Bankers Forum, the Leadership Detroit Alumni 
Association, and 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit. Mr. Watkins' 
community involvement also extends to past board affiliations with the 
Detroit Medical Center, the Public Administration Foundation, and the 
Rehabilitation Institute, where he served as chairman.
  I want to commend Mr. Watkins for his distinguished career and 
numerous contributions to the state of Michigan and the city of 
Detroit. I extend my sincerest congratulations to Mr. Watkins, who will 
receive his award at the 27th annual March of Dimes ``Sweetheart Ball'' 
award dinner on Saturday, March 6, 1999, in Dearborn, Michigan.

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