[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO MARTIN J. ``HOOT'' McINERNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Martin 
J. ``Hoot'' McInerney, recipient of the St. Joseph Mercy Oakland 
Hospital Man of the Year Award and Distinguished Community Service 
Award.
  Known for his kindness and infectious personality, Martin J. ``Hoot'' 
McInerney is also known throughout the metro-Detroit area as a 
successful car dealer and philanthropist, supporting numerous charities 
on a local, national and international level.
  Hoot was born and raised in Detroit. He began his career in the 
automobile industry as a young boy working for an auto dealership, 
being paid fifty cents a week to keep the coal furnace stoked over cold 
weekends. In 1963, Chrysler offered Hoot his first dealership. Forty-
one years later Hoot has become a successful businessman owning 
numerous car dealerships in the metro-Detroit area. The former U.S. 
Marine is still known to ``hang out'' at his Star Lincoln Mercury 
dealership in Southfield, Michigan.
  Hoot helped to establish the St. Joseph Mercy Men of Mercy in 1974. 
He is also one of the founders of the J.P. McCarthy Foundation, in 
honor of the late and renowned radio personality who was diagnosed with 
and succumbed to myelodysplastic syndrome. He is also a generous donor 
to several Catholic churches and schools in the metro-Detroit area as 
well as churches and schools in Honduras, Nicaragua and the Sisters of 
Mary in Omaha, Nebraska.
  In addition, Hoot supports Focus: HOPE, Operation Read, the Dave 
Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Purple Rose Theater, Friends of Golf, 
St. John's Men's Guild, Angel's Place, the National Football Fund and 
Stewards of Tomorrow.
  Mr. Speaker, Hoot McInerney is deserving of this recognition for his 
humanitarian and volunteer efforts. His dedication to helping others 
has made a significant difference in the lives of many people.

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