[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 103 (Monday, July 14, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H6666-H6668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING AND CONGRATULATING CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 215) honoring and
congratulating chambers of commerce for their efforts that contribute
to the improvement of communities and the strengthening of local and
regional economies.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 215
Whereas chambers of commerce throughout the United States
contribute to the improvement of their communities and the
strengthening of their local and regional economies;
Whereas in the Detroit, Michigan area, the Detroit Regional
Chamber, originally known as the Detroit Board of Commerce,
typifies the public-spirited contributions made by the
chambers of commerce;
Whereas, on June 30, 1903, the Detroit Board of Commerce
was formally organized with 253 charter members;
Whereas the Detroit Board of Commerce played a prominent
role in the formation of the United States Chamber of
Commerce;
Whereas the Detroit Board of Commerce participated in the
``Good Roads for Michigan'' campaign in 1910 and 1911,
helping to gain voter approval of a $2,000,000 bond proposal
to improve the roads of Wayne County, Michigan;
Whereas, in 1925, the Safety Council of the Detroit Board
of Commerce helped develop the first traffic lights in
Detroit;
Whereas, in 1927, the Detroit Board of Commerce brought
together all of the cities, villages, and townships in
southeast Michigan to tentatively establish boundaries for a
metropolitan district for Detroit, embracing all or parts of
Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, and Washtenaw Counties at the
request of the United States Census Bureau in advance of the
1930 census;
Whereas, in 1932, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board
designated the Detroit Board of Commerce as the authorized
agent for stock subscriptions in the Federal Home Loan Bank,
as an early response to the Great Depression;
Whereas, in 1945, the Detroit Board of Commerce promoted
the extension of Victory Loans to veterans returning from
service in the United States Armed Forces during World War II
as a way of expressing gratitude for the veterans' wartime
service, and raised more than half of the total amount
contributed in Wayne County, Michigan;
Whereas, in 1969, the Detroit Board of Commerce, then known
as the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, was instrumental
in the establishment of a bus network connecting inner-city
workers with their jobs, which resulted in the creation of
the Southeast Metropolitan Transportation Authority, now
known as SMART;
Whereas the Detroit Board of Commerce has been known by
several names during its century of existence, eventually
becoming known as the Detroit Regional Chamber in November
1997;
Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber
of commerce in the United States and has been in existence
for over 100 years;
Whereas more than 19,000 businesses across southeast
Michigan have decided to make an initial investment in the
Detroit Regional Chamber to help develop the region;
Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber has supported the
concept of regionalism in southeast Michigan, representing
the concerns of businesses and the region as a whole;
Whereas the mission of the Detroit Regional Chamber is to
help power the economy of southeastern Michigan;
Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber successfully advocates
public policy concerns on behalf of its members at the local,
regional, State, and National levels;
Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber has implemented
programs promoting diversity in its work force and has won
recognition for such efforts;
Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber is committed to
promoting the interests of its members in the global
marketplace through economic development efforts; and
Whereas on June 30, 2003, the Detroit Regional Chamber
celebrates its 100th anniversary: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress honors and congratulates chambers
of commerce for their efforts that contribute to the
improvement of their communities and the strengthening of
their local and regional economies.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).
General Leave
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend
their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Oregon?
There was no objection.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 215, a
resolution to honor and congratulate the chambers of commerce for their
efforts that contribute to the improvement of communities and the
strengthening of local and regional economies.
At the Federal level, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce makes up the
world's largest not-for-profit business federation. It represents 3
million businesses, 3,000 State and local chambers, 830 business
associations and 92 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. These groups
are of all sizes and shapes, from large Fortune 500 companies to home-
based one-person operations. A full 96 percent of the membership is
made up of businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
The real work that is done in the trenches is done by local and
regional chambers of commerce. It is these organizations that employ
labor law experts, human resource professionals and pro-business staff
lobbyists within one organization to bring businesses resources that
they need. They provide help and information from the big picture of
public policy to the nitty-gritty of complex employment laws.
In addition, these local and regional chambers give small businesses
a legislative voice to promote business, protect the private sector
from excessive
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government mandates and help prepare States for prosperous futures.
Mr. Speaker, I can tell my colleagues as well that these local
chambers of commerce are leaders in their communities, assisting in
civic organizations and in community pride work, cleaning up
communities, helping neighbors, working on community events, helping
for charitable causes, the men and women, the entrepreneurs of our
communities who are really the success story of our economy.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members join me in supporting H. Con.
Res. 215, supporting and honoring our chambers of commerce and their
members. They offer unprecedented benefits, discounts and opportunities
to business, which helps make States, regions and localities strong,
healthy and vibrant.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve balance of my time.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.
(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in support of
this fine legislation, H. Con. Res. 215, and I join in the
congratulations of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce on its
100th anniversary.
I want to first thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the
distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for
making this event possible, and I also want to commend my good friend
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) for his leadership and
for the fine work that he has done on this legislation. I also thank
all of my Michigan colleagues who joined on as co-sponsors; and,
indeed, this is good legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the business community has been much enriched by the
fine work of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and by its work
as a major economic engine for southeastern Michigan. It has played an
enormously important role over Michigan's prosperity in the last 100
years.
Beginning in 1903 with 253 charter members, the Detroit Regional
Chamber grew into what it is today, the largest chamber of commerce in
the United States with more than 1,000 active members. During that
time, the Detroit Regional Chamber has made many important
contributions to the communities, not only in my district but
throughout the entire part of southeastern Michigan. It began with its
important participation in the Campaign for Good Roads in 1910 and
1911. As it has gone forward to do its splendid work in establishing
mass transit systems, the SMART bus system, the Detroit Regional
Chamber has indeed proven itself a reliable community leader in
southeastern Michigan in all kinds of good causes.
With a new century coming on, new challenges face our region. Judging
from the past 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber will continue to
remain an important leader that southeastern Michigan has come to
depend upon. I am sure that my colleagues and I stand ready to continue
working with the Detroit Regional Chamber and other community leaders
to meet the challenges that face our part of the country.
Mr. Speaker, I salute the Detroit Regional Chamber on its 100th
anniversary and wish it great success in the 21st century.
Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to chambers of
commerce for their efforts to improve our communities and strengthen
economy. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the
Detroit Regional Chamber in particular. This year it is celebrating its
100th anniversary of existence.
Chambers of commerce are integral to millions of companies, large and
small, throughout this country. They represent businesses and promote
their interests before federal, state, and local governments. The
Detroit Regional Chamber is no different. Currently over 19,000
businesses across southeast Michigan are members of the Detroit
Regional Chamber, and that number continues to grow.
During their century of existence, the Detroit Regional Chamber has
had a major impact on Michigan and the United States economy. House
Concurrent Resolution 215 highlights its excellence and I am pleased so
many of my colleagues from Michigan could cosponsor the resolution. I
would particularly like to thank my friend, the ranking member of the
House Energy and Commerce Committee and fellow Michigander, Congressman
John Dingell, for introducing this resolution with me and working with
the Chairman to see this resolution could be brought to the floor
today.
House Concurrent Resolution 215 recognizes many of the chief
accomplishments of the Detroit Regional Chamber. In 1903, the Detroit
Board of Commerce was formally organized with 253 charter members.
Since then, it has been known by several names, most recently in 1997
it officially became the Detroit Regional Chamber.
The resolution points out the Detroit Regional Chamber's involvement
in a 1910-11 campaign to gain voter approval of a $2 million bond
proposal to improve the roads of Wayne County and played a prominent
role in the formation of the United States Chamber of Commerce. It also
notes the Detroit Regional Chamber's help to develop the first traffic
lights in Detroit in 1925 and the establishment of a bus network
connecting inner-city workers with their jobs in 1969, which resulted
in the creation of the Southeast Metropolitan Transportation Authority
(SMART).
Later this week on Wednesday the Detroit Regional Chamber will
celebrate their one hundred year anniversary at Greenfield Village in
Dearborn. Unfortunately, I will be here in the House of Representatives
and will not be able to attend, but I am pleased the House could
recognize the Detroit Regional Chamber by considering this resolution.
I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House
Concurrent Resolution 215, to honor this nation's chambers of commerce
for their contributions to help strengthen communities and local
economies, and in particular to congratulate the Detroit Regional
Chamber on celebrating its 100th anniversary.
Originally established on June 30, 1903 as the Detroit Board of
Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber was formed with 253 charter
members. The Chamber has seen many changes since that time--the
organization has grown to include more than 19,000 businesses and has
had several name changes. What has not changed is the chamber's record
of service to the residents and businesses of the Metro Detroit area.
The Chamber has taken a leadership role in public policy in dealings
with both the Michigan State Legislature and the U.S. Congress on
legislation that may impact the business community. In recent years,
they have effectively focused their efforts more broadly on
coordinating the vital effort around efficient and secure operations at
the U.S.-Canada border. Their annual Leadership Policy Conference,
brings together business, government and community leaders to discuss a
wide array of issues, from health care to energy policy and economic
development to ethics. In attending these conferences, I have seen how
the Detroit Regional Chamber has been increasingly involved in
discussing and confronting the wide variety of challenges facing the
City of Detroit and relations with the entire metropolitan area.
The Chamber also provides small business and international trade
counseling and works to develop the region's economic viability by
attracting people, money and jobs. The Chamber is also heavily involved
in working toward transportation solutions to improve the ability of
the workers in the region to get to their jobs.
It is fitting that we should take the time to recognize the 100th
anniversary of the Detroit Regional Chamber and I offer my best wishes
for their continued success as they begin their second century of
service to Metro Detroit.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 215.
Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Detroit Regional
Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Chamber
has been consistently working over the past century on a wide range of
issues running the gamut from public transportation to maintaining a
quality and competitive workforce. For more than three generations the
Chamber has played an integral part in the astounding growth and change
throughout Detroit and Southeast Michigan. I am confident in the 21st
century, which faces many new challenges, that the Chamber and its
members will continue to make Michigan an outstanding place for
families and businesses alike.
When less than a dozen businessmen got together February 3, 1903, to
more effectively represent the merchants of Detroit, they were working
in an environment drastically different from that of today. At the same
time, the Ford Motor Company, then a small family business, had the
nearly impossible dream nurtured by the young Henry Ford, that
automobiles could be mass produced and made affordable to families in
America. Much of the area was still rural and the automobile industry
was only in its infancy.
Michael J. Murphy, the president of the Murphy Chair Company was the
first leader of the Detroit Regional Chamber and in 1911, realized that
the manufacture of automobiles
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could have a far reaching impact on our economy and lifestyle the
Chamber developed a campaign named ``Good Roads For Michigan''
campaign, and secured voter approval of a modest bond proposal the
proceeds of which would then be used to improve Wayne County's then-
woeful roads. Meanwhile, as its membership grew the Chamber found it
necessary to expand, and build a modern three-story building as its
headquarters.
The Chamber's early success was a sign of things to come. In 1920,
Detroit police officer William Potts determined to do something about
the problem of automobile traffic, rising at the time in Michigan as
elsewhere. With thirty-seven dollars, he created the world's first
traffic light, at Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit. At about
the same time, African American inventor Garrett Morgan invented the
first electric automatic traffic light, providing the prototype on
which today's four-way traffic lights are based, and which led the way
for the creation of Davison Highway, the nation's very first
expressway. The Chamber helped to install these first traffic lights,
and through this magnificent technology, helped enhance the economic
prospects of Michigan and indeed the world. The Chamber would go on to
support the establishment of a train route between Detroit and
Washington, D.C., providing a critical link between government and
automotive innovation.
The Chamber's leadership has gone far beyond just doing business. In
1965, the Chamber took a dramatic step in favor of the Civil Rights
movement, when it published an appeal in support of the United Negro
College fund, stating, ``We must open the doors of opportunity.'' The
Chamber further distinguished itself in 1975, when it decided to begin
offering health insurance plans to companies with under 25 employees.
This program remains extremely successful and has provided Detroit
small businesses with health insurance for nearly 35 years.
Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber continues its astounding work.
Under the leadership of Chairman of the Board Benjamin C. Maibach III,
the Chamber strives to improve upon its past successes. It now has over
18,000 members, including the most diverse Board of Directors in its
history. They include former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Attorney
David Baker Lewis, Dr. Arthur Porter, Frank Fountain, Roderick Gillum,
Dr. Irvin Reid, Linda Watters, the Rev. Jim Holley, Yousif Ghafari,
John James, Elham Jabiru-Shayota, Dr. Fern Espino, and Dr. J. Carlos
Borrego.
I have great respect for the history surrounding the Chamber, and
believe its efforts to improve the quality of life for all of Southeast
Michigan's residents will continue. There is every reason to believe
that the Detroit Chamber's next century will be even more successful
than its first.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 215.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was
agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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