[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2143-E2144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING MICHAEL BERRY ON THE DEDICATION OF THE MICHAEL BERRY 
                              AMPHITHEATER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to honor my 
dear friend, Michael Berry on the occasion of the dedication of the 
Michael Berry Amphitheater at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, 
Michigan.
  The son of Lebanese immigrants, Michael Berry came of age in 
Depression Era South

[[Page E2144]]

Dearborn. Transcending life's circumstances, Mr. Berry graduated in 
Fordson Junior College's (now Henry Ford Community College) inaugural 
class of 1940. He went on to earn a Bachelor's degree and ultimately a 
Juris Doctorate, becoming the first Muslim attorney in the state of 
Michigan in 1949.
  With his law degree in hand, Mr. Berry embarked on a distinguished 
career in law, government and public service that continues to this 
day. Among his many significant accomplishments, Michael Berry served 
twenty years as the legal counsel to the United Auto Workers Local 600 
(the UAW Local born out of the Hunger March and Battle of the Overpass, 
and which, at its zenith had more than 100,000 members and retirees).
  Mr. Berry was also a longtime member of the Wayne County Road 
Commission, serving as Chairman for a period of ten years. During his 
tenure as Chairman, Michael Berry oversaw the completion of numerous 
infrastructure projects, not the least of which were substantial 
improvements to Detroit-Wayne County's Metropolitan Airport. Mr. 
Berry's contributions in this regard positioned the airport to become 
the national and international hub that it is today and resulted in the 
dedication of the Michael Berry International Terminal in 1974.
  Given Mr. Berry's personal and professional accomplishments, you can 
understand why I consider myself extremely fortunate to have him as a 
close personal friend and to have benefited from his advice and insight 
over the years. I worked especially closely with Mr. Berry during the 
eight years he served as Chairman of the 16th District Democratic 
Party--a time that I recall fondly as being a particularly constructive 
and productive one.
  The privilege of knowing people who are as decent and accomplished as 
Michael Berry is an aspect of public service that I enjoy greatly. The 
``Michael Berry Amphitheater'' will inspire students for generations to 
pursue their full potential and ambitions. Mr. Speaker, I ask that all 
of my colleagues join me in recognizing the lifetime achievements of 
Michael Berry, one of Dearborn's native sons.

                          ____________________