[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H5541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    A TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATED UNDERGROUND CONTRACTORS OF MICHIGAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Franks of Arizona). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith) is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise a 
community working together to accomplish an important goal. In an 
unprecedented effort, the members of the AUC, Michigan's heavy 
construction association, came together to renovate a unique historic 
site that we have in the State of Michigan, the Henry Ford. The Henry 
Ford museum and historical site includes Greenfield Village, the Henry 
Ford Museum and IMAX theater and the Benson Ford Research Center.
  In 1929, Henry Ford started a living museum about American life. He 
wanted to collect and preserve objects that were used in everyday life. 
From the cider mill to the newly acquired electric car, over 83 
historic structures on 90 acres celebrate the innovation and 
imagination of inventors whose ideas have changed our everyday life.
  Mr. Speaker, last fall, in anticipation of the 100th anniversary of 
the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford began a much-needed renovation. It 
faced all the problems of a modern town such as power outages, sewer 
failures, storm water flooding, decaying roads and treacherous 
sidewalks, as well as the equally challenging task of preserving a 
historic landmark.
  Members of the AUC, Michigan's heavy construction association, 
donated their time, effort, equipment, materials, and innovative 
methods to solve these problems. More than 20 normally competitive 
contractors united to preserve 25,000 trees, replace nearly 35 miles of 
underground systems, and rebuild almost 11 miles of roads and 
sidewalks. They replaced sanitary sewers, water mains, storm sewers, 
irrigation piping, natural gas piping, and rewired electric and 
communication lines. Their expertise is estimated to have reduced the 
cost of renovation by nearly $10 million and completed it in less than 
a year. This was done by working together, management and labor, 
volunteers and professionals; and I just want today, Mr. Speaker, to 
commend the efforts of this community in their effort to save and 
revitalize Henry Ford.
  Henry Ford himself once said, ``Coming together is a beginning, 
staying together is progress, and working together is success.'' We had 
a success. The members of the AUC and many others came together, stayed 
together, and worked together to successfully honor the legacy of a 
great man and preserve part of history for our children. For that, the 
members of AUC and all those who helped in this fine effort are to be 
commended.

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