[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 28 (Wednesday, March 13, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E333-E334]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO JEANNE BRADY LORENZ, FIRST ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S UNSUNG HEROINE 
                             AWARDS HONOREE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2002

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a woman who has 
dedicated so many years to serving her city and her community, Jeanne 
Lorenz. Her remarkable achievements have brought so many families and 
communities together in an effort to educate and promote racial and 
ethnic justice. As the Michigan Women's Commission held the First 
Annual Governor's Unsung Heroine Awards, they honored the contributions 
of women in communities across Michigan whose work has otherwise gone 
unrecognized. Gathering together on Tuesday, March 5, 2002, the 
Michigan Women's Commission chose to honor Jeanne Lorenz, a longtime 
friend and advocate of civil rights and community service.
  A leader and an activist all her life, Jeanne Lorenz has lived her 
life by her principles and has dedicated her life to teaching these 
principles to others. As an active member of the Interfaith Center for 
Racial Justice in Macomb County for over 30 years and Secretary of its 
Executive Board for more than 20 years, her efforts for her community 
have been truly selfless. Beginning in 1971 with monitoring the local 
newspapers and courts and organizing a program called Peaceful Schools 
during anti-bussing demonstrations, Jeanne participated in a wide 
variety of activities to promote civil rights. As one of the primary 
cooks for the first few annual Martin Luther King Holiday Celebrations 
in Macomb County, an event which raised money to purchase books on 
racial diversity for school libraries, Jeanne was integral in the fight 
to promote racial understanding in her community. This determination 
and commitment to civil rights led her to help defuse racial tensions 
at a local high school at the request of the Lake Shore Schools 
superintendent. Forming an advisory group to relieve racial tensions, 
she helped this group later evolve into the Committee for Racial and 
Ethnic Understanding, a group that provided a forum for communication 
and sponsored ethnic fairs.
  Demonstrating outstanding dedication and commitment throughout the 
years, Jeanne Lorenz has also been active in community outreach, 
working in programs that have helped advance her local community. An 
active member of St. Gertrude's Church, Jeanne served as the first 
elected female president of the St. Gertrude Parish Council and served 
on the Christian Service Commission. Using her training as a home 
economics teacher, Jeanne organized a funeral luncheon program at St, 
Gertrude's Church in St. Clair Shores and prepares and serves meals 
periodically with her volunteers at the Salvation Army in Mount 
Clemens. She also cooks for the McRest Homeless Shelter program at her 
church and directs the kitchen crew at the Interfaith Care Givers' 
Annual Spaghetti Fund Raiser. Jeanne Lorenz's crusade to raise the 
standards of activism and community outreach programs is one that will 
be remembered by citizens of this community for years to come.

[[Page E334]]

  I applaud Jeanne Lorenz for her leadership and commitment, and thank 
her for dedicating her life to serving her city and her community. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in saluting her for her exemplary years 
of service.

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