[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 39 (Thursday, April 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E579-E580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MR. MAX FISHER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 6, 2005

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, today I join the people of my 
Congressional District, as well as thousands around the country and the 
world, in honoring the passing of a truly great individual Mr. Max 
Fisher. On March 3, 2005, Max Fisher passed away at the age of 96.
  Max Fisher, a resident of Franklin, Michigan, was an internationally 
known philanthropist, businessman, advisor, and diplomat, and 
universally recognized as a driving force for positive change in the 
United States and the world.
  The son of Jewish Russian immigrants Velvil and MaIka Fisch, Max was 
born in Pittsburgh in 1908. He attended Ohio State University on a 
football scholarship and graduated in 1930 with a degree in business 
administration. After graduating from college Max Fisher moved to the 
Detroit area where he became an extremely successful businessman and 
real estate land developer.
  Max Fisher played a unique role in U.S.-Israel relations. This role 
has been described by many, including in the 1992 biography, Quiet 
Diplomat, by Peter Golden. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger 
wrote in his memoirs that Max Fisher provided an important service as 
an informal liaison between the White House and the American Jewish 
leadership under Presidents Nixon and Ford.
  Max Fisher also served as the head of a variety of nonprofit and 
charitable Jewish organizations including United Jewish Appeal, the

[[Page E580]]

Republican Jewish Coalition, the Jewish Welfare Federation, the Jewish 
Agency, Council of Jewish Federations, United Israel Appeal, the 
American Jewish Committee, and the National Jewish Coalition.
  Max was a self-made man who spent much of his life raising money for 
philanthropic and political endeavors and remained an active supporter 
of charitable and civic organizations. He was a major benefactor of the 
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, gave generously to Ohio State's College of 
Business, and helped found Detroit Renaissance, a nonprofit business 
roundtable aimed at improving conditions in the city and region.
  Max also held 13 honorary degrees from educational institutions.
  Max Fisher is survived by his wife, Marjorie Fisher; daughters and 
sons-in-law, Jane and D. Larry Sherman, Mary Fisher, Julie and Peter 
Cummings, Marjorie Fisher; son and daughter-in-law, Phillip and Lauren 
Fisher; 2 sisters; 19 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
  Max was a humble man of strong principle, who consistently focused on 
doing what was right, without seeking fame or prestige. His optimism 
and positive mental attitude continually motivated those around him to 
overcome the challenges before them.
  Therefore, I express my deepest condolences to his family, friends 
and admirers. And I also join in honoring Max Fisher for his diplomatic 
contributions, exceptional philanthropic achievements, boundless 
generosity, unwavering principle and integrity, and achieving great 
financial success while maintaining admirable humility.

                          ____________________