[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S6010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       MR. LLOYD A. SEMPLE RECEIVES 2000 JUDGE LEARNED HAND AWARD

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, each year, the American Jewish 
Committee's Metropolitan Detroit Chapter presents one individual with 
its Judge Learned Hand Human Relations Award. Recipients of this award 
are honored for their outstanding leadership within the legal 
profession, and for exemplifying the high principles for which Judge 
Learned Hand was renowned. I rise today to recognize Mr. Lloyd A. 
Semple, who will receive the 2000 Judge Learned Hand Award on June 29, 
2000, in Detroit, Michigan.
  Mr. Semple is the Chairman of one of Detroit's oldest and most 
prestigious law firms, Dykema Gossett, PLLC. Founded in 1926, Dykema 
Gossett provides legal services to a broad range of clients, from 
international and Fortune 500 companies to individuals and small ``Mom 
and Pop'' businesses. Its mission has remained constant throughout its 
almost seventy-five years: to provide the best possible legal advice 
and service to its clients. The firm has grown over 270 lawyers strong, 
and now has locations in the following Michigan cities: Ann Arbor, 
Bloomfield Hills, Grand Rapids, and Lansing; as well as offices in 
Chicago and Washington, D.C. In addition, Dykema Gossett has recently 
gone global, forming an affiliation with a firm in Bologna, Italy.
  In his time as Chairman, Mr. Semple has overseen this growth and 
adaptation to the ``new economy'' while at the same time stressing the 
importance of pro bono work to the members and associates of Dykema 
Gossett. Twice in recent years the law firm has been recognized by the 
Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association for its efforts in this regard. In 
1998, Dykema Gossett was selected by the Business Law Section of the 
American Bar Association as the firm that made the most outstanding pro 
bono contribution in the United States in transactional and business 
related areas. In addition, members and associates donate their time 
and resources to a host of charitable and civic organizations, 
recognizing the importance of being not only a community member, but a 
community leader. Much of this is attributable, I think, to the strong 
leadership of Mr. Semple, and his belief that a good business should 
also strive to be a good neighbor.
  Mr. Semple himself practices general corporate law, including 
acquisitions, divestitures, mergers and financings. He received his 
Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, and his Jurist Doctorate 
from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Detroit 
Metropolitan Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and the 
State Bar of Michigan. He is a Director and/or Officer of Interface 
Systems, Inc., Sensys Technologies Inc., Tracy Industries, Inc., and 
Civix, Inc.
  In addition, Mr. Semple serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees 
of the Detroit Medical Center; Chairman of the Executive Committee of 
the Detroit Zoological Society; and is a Trustee of Detroit Symphony 
Orchestra Hall. He is the Director and Corporate Secretary, as well as 
a Trustee, of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center, an organization 
which raises funds for the awareness and prevention of breast cancer. 
He has served as Chairman of the Board of Harper Hospital, Councilman 
and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Grosse Pointe Farms, President of the 
Yale Alumni Association of Michigan and President of the Country Club 
of Detroit.
  I applaud Mr. Semple on his many achievements within the realm of the 
law, and his many charitable endeavors outside of that realm. Not only 
the City of Detroit, but the entire State of Michigan, has benefitted 
from his many great works. On behalf of the United States Senate, I 
congratulate Mr. Lloyd A. Semple on receiving the 2000 Judge Learned 
Hand Award, and wish him continued success in the future.

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