[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 14 (Wednesday, February 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. GEORGE WEEKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2006

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor George Weeks, who is 
retiring as a political columnist from The Detroit News, where he has 
written for over 20 years. George has been the premiere political 
columnist for Michigan for over two decades.
  George Weeks was born in 1932 in Traverse City, MI. A graduate of 
Traverse City High School in 1950, Weeks stayed close to home, earning 
his undergraduate degree in journalism from Michigan State University 
just 4 years later.
  George Weeks spent the first 15 years of his journalism career at 
United Press International, working as a Lansing staff correspondent 
and later Bureau chief, Detroit Bureau radio and news editor, 
diplomatic correspondent, and Washington foreign editor. He also 
entered public service as press secretary, special counsel, and 
executive secretary for Michigan Governor William G. Milliken, who 
later remarked of Weeks's character and credibility as the chief reason 
Weeks was able to seamlessly move from journalism to public service and 
back.
  In 1981, Weeks resumed his studies as a Kennedy Fellow at the 
prestigious Harvard University Institute of Politics. However, Weeks's 
love for on-the-record journalism brought him back to print as a 
political columnist for the Detroit News in 1983, where he remained 
until his retirement. During that time he freelanced many articles and 
has written several books on Michigan. Weeks was honored for his 40 
years as journalist, historian, and public servant with a well-deserved 
place in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 1996.
  Mr. Speaker, for over 20 years, George Weeks brought a keen eye, a 
sharp wit and a unique perspective to Michigan and national politics. 
His work will be greatly missed by the people of Michigan.

                          ____________________