[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 41 (Monday, March 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2904-S2905]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS
                                  ____

   SENATE RESOLUTION 64--CONGRATULATING THE CITY OF DETROIT AND ITS 
     RESIDENTS ON THE OCCASION OF THE TERCENTENNIAL OF ITS FOUNDING

  Mr. LEVIN (for himself and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 64

       Whereas Detroit is the 10th most populous city in the 
     United States and the most populous city in Michigan;
       Whereas Detroit is the oldest major city in the Midwest, 
     and 2001 is the 300th anniversary of Detroit's founding;
       Whereas Detroit began as a French community on the Detroit 
     River when Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac founded a strategic 
     garrison and fur trading post on the site in 1701;
       Whereas Detroit was named Fort Pontchartrain de' Etroit 
     (meaning ``strait'') at the time of its founding and became 
     known as Detroit because of its position along the Detroit 
     River;
       Whereas the Detroit region served as a strategic staging 
     area during the French and Indian War, became a British 
     possession in 1760, and was transferred to the British by the 
     peace treaty of 1763;
       Whereas the Ottawa Native American Chieftain Pontiac 
     attempted a historic but unsuccessful campaign to wrest 
     control of the garrison at Detroit from British hands in 
     1763;
       Whereas in the nineteenth century, Detroit was a vocal 
     center of antislavery advocacy and, for more than 40,000 
     individuals seeking freedom in Canada, an important stop on 
     the Underground Railroad;
       Whereas Detroit entrepreneurs, including Henry Ford, 
     perfected the process of mass production and made automobiles 
     affordable for people from all walks of life;
       Whereas Detroit is the automotive capital of the Nation and 
     an international leader in automobile manufacturing and 
     trade;
       Whereas the contributions of Detroit residents to civilian 
     and military production have astounded the Nation, 
     contributed to United States victory in World War II, and 
     resulted in Detroit being called the Arsenal of Democracy;
       Whereas residents of Detroit played a central role in the 
     development of the organized labor movement and contributed 
     to protections for workers' rights;

[[Page S2905]]

       Whereas Detroit is home to the United Auto Workers Union 
     and many other building and service trades and industrial 
     unions;
       Whereas Detroit has a rich sports tradition and has 
     produced many sports legends, including: Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, 
     Willie Horton, Hank Greenberg, Mickey Cochrane, and Sparky 
     Anderson of the Detroit Tigers; Dick ``Night Train'' Lane, 
     Joe Schmidt, Billy Sims, Dutch Clark, and Barry Sanders of 
     the Detroit Lions; Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Isaiah Thomas, and 
     Joe Dumars of the Detroit Pistons; Gordie Howe, Terry 
     Sawchuk, Ted Lindsay, and Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red 
     Wings; boxing greats Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, and 
     Thomas Hearns; and Olympic speed skaters Jeanne Omelenchuk 
     and Sheila Young-Ochowicz;
       Whereas the cultural attractions in Detroit include the 
     Detroit Institute of Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of 
     African-American History (the largest museum devoted 
     exclusively to African-American art and culture), the Detroit 
     Historical Museum, the Detroit Symphony, the Michigan Opera 
     Theater, the Detroit Science Center, and the Dossin Great 
     Lakes Museum;
       Whereas several centers of educational excellence are 
     located in Detroit, including Wayne State University, the 
     University of Detroit Mercy, Marygrove College, Sacred Heart 
     Seminary College, the Center for Creative Studies--College of 
     Art and Design, and the Lewis College of Business (the only 
     institution in Michigan designated as a ``Historically Black 
     College'');
       Whereas residents of Detroit played an integral role in 
     developing the distinctly American sounds of jazz, rhythm and 
     blues, rock 'n roll, and techno; and
       Whereas Detroit has been the home of Berry Gordy, Jr., who 
     created the musical genre that has been called the Motown 
     Sound, and many great musical artists, including Aretha 
     Franklin, Anita Baker, and the Winans family: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved,

     SECTION. 1. CONGRATULATING DETROIT AND ITS RESIDENTS.

       The Congress, on the occasion of the tricentennial of the 
     founding of the city of Detroit, salutes Detroit and its 
     residents, and congratulates them for their important 
     contributions to the economic, social, and cultural 
     development of the United States.

     SEC. 2. TRANSMITTAL.

       The Clerk of the House of Representatives shall transmit 
     copies of this resolution to the Mayor of Detroit and the 
     City Council of Detroit.

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I and my colleague from Michigan, Senator 
Stabenow, are introducing a resolution commemorating the tercentennial 
of the founding of Detroit, my hometown. Detroit has contributed 
mightily to American history and to the freedom and prosperity our 
Nation enjoys.
  The ``Spirit of Detroit'' statue, which sits prominently in downtown 
Detroit, embodies a spirit which is referred to by many Detroiters. It 
is this spirit of hard work and determination that has helped 
successive generations of Detroiters realize the American Dream. From 
its earliest days as a frontier outpost, to its role in the epic 
struggle to end slavery and preserve the union, to the era of the 
Arsenal of Democracy, to the modern day struggle to build the Detroit 
of the 21st Century, this spirit has guided Detroit to greatness.
  While the resolution names but a few of the events and a few of the 
people who have made significant contributions to the Detroit story, 
the list is long. Countless Detroiters have stepped forward to make a 
difference in many facets of American life. And this year, as Detroit 
enters its fourth century, the city's pride in its history is only 
matched by its confidence in its future.
  As Detroit celebrates its 300th anniversary, we are proud to have the 
opportunity to take part in the festivities that mark this occasion and 
to share our pride with all of our colleagues.
  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, the city of Detroit celebrates its 300th 
anniversary this year. The citizens of Detroit will mark this milestone 
with pride and celebration for a city not only rich in tradition and 
history, but also full of promise.
  The French are credited with founding Detroit, and like so many 
Americans, the city bears the remnants of its original French name--
Fort Pontchartain de' Etroit. But it is also important to remember the 
indigenous people who preceded the French in the region. The Native 
American people have a rich history and culture, and this history is 
equally credited with the formation of Detroit.
  This resolution recognizes the important role the city of Detroit and 
its people have played in the history and development of a strong and 
secure America. From great sports teams and automobiles to music and 
civil rights, each domain is synonymous with Detroit. Its rich musical 
heritage and artistry has left a lasting imprint on the sound of rhythm 
& blues, gospel, jazz, and Motown.
  ``The Motor City'' is a moniker of pride for the city of Detroit and 
the State of Michigan as a whole. The preeminent accomplishments of 
Detroit's automobile industry began with Henry Ford, a man whose 
ingenuity and determination changed the landscape of American life. In 
doing so, a dominant labor movement emerged as a force for equality in 
the workplace. In addition, people of all ethnicities living and 
working in Detroit know of the city's distinguished mark in the civil 
rights movement and understand the fight for equal rights in America is 
far from over. I believe Detroit's best years lie ahead and am proud of 
the past accomplishments that forever anchor this city in the history 
books of our country.
  I wish Detroit and its residents a Happy Tercentennial and look 
forward to its anniversary celebrations this year.

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