[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E909]]
 CONGRATULATING DETROIT AND ITS RESIDENTS ON THE TRICENTENNIAL OF THE 
                            CITY'S FOUNDING

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2001

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 80, 
a concurrent resolution congratulating the city of Detroit and its 
residents on the 300th anniversary of its founding. Detroit has a proud 
history and has played an important role in the development of the 
United States. I am pleased that I, and my father before me, have had 
the opportunity to represent Detroit and the Detroit area for many 
years.
  Detroit was founded in 1701 by French explorer Antoine de La Mothe 
Cadillac and originally called Ville d'Etroit which means ``city of the 
strait.'' Detroit is the oldest major city in the Midwest, older than 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Minneapolis.
  Most Americans know Detroit as the automobile capital of the world. 
However, it has a storied past and has done more than just put the 
world on wheels. Detroit was the last station before Canada on the 
Underground Railroad. It was also an important battleground in the 
fight for organized labor and is still home to several unions including 
the United Auto Workers.
  Detroit was named ``Arsenal of Democracy'' for its contributions to 
the U.S. war efforts during World Wars I and II. It has played an 
integral role in developing jazz, rhythm and blues, and the Motown 
Sound. Additionally, it continues to be an important gateway to Canada.
  Throughout its history, Detroit has been the focal point for many 
other important developments. The mile-long Detroit-Windsor tunnel 
under the Detroit River was the first automobile traffic tunnel built 
between two nations. It was in Detroit that Elijah McCoy invented the 
first practical automatic lubricating cup for trains resulting in the 
phrase ``the real McCoy.'' You may be interested to know that the 
``sippy cup,'' a must have for parents with small children, also was 
invented in Detroit by Edward Olsen.
  Detroit has faced many challenges in its history, from the fire of 
1805 that destroyed all but one of its 200 structures to its push to 
move from an economy dependent on heavy manufacturing to one that is 
more diverse and focused on the advanced technologies of the future. 
Detroit has overcome many difficulties and has prospered.
  Mr. Speaker, Detroit is the tenth largest U.S. city. It is a 
metropolis that is vibrant, diverse, and of a world-class caliber. 
Accordingly, I congratulate its residents on the 300th anniversary of 
its founding.

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