[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 24 (Wednesday, March 1, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING RICHARD M. DeVOS, SR. UPON HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PETER HOEKSTRA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2006

  Mr. HOEKSTRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard M. DeVos, 
Sr. upon the occasion of his 80th birthday on March 4, 2006.
  Mr. Speaker, Mr. Richard DeVos and his wife, Helen, have been a 
blessing not only to the Grand Rapids area, but to communities 
throughout the United States.
  He has positively impacted West Michigan through numerous civic and 
philanthropic contributions since cofounding the Amway Corporation in 
1959 with lifelong friend and business partner, the late Jay Van Andel. 
He has helped to create the DeVos Children's Hospital, the Cook-DeVos 
Center for Health Services, the DeVos Communications Center at Calvin 
College, the DeVos Campus of Grand Valley State University, the DeVos 
Place convention center and the Richard and Helen DeVos Fieldhouse at 
Hope College.
  Mr. DeVos has enhanced the quality of life in Grand Rapids through 
such generous support for educational, health and cultural initiatives.
  Mr. DeVos's contributions are not limited to West Michigan, Mr. 
Speaker. He has contributed to numerous organizations in Central 
Florida as well, including the DeVos Sport Business Management 
Foundation Program at the University of Central Florida and the Orlando 
Magic Youth Foundation.
  He has also touched hundreds of thousands of lives through his 
inspirational speeches and three books, ``Believe!,'' ``Compassionate 
Capitalism'' and ``Hope from My Heart.''
  Mr. Speaker, perhaps most importantly, Mr. DeVos has achieved so much 
in his life based upon a strong work ethic and an unyielding devotion 
to faith and family, ideals that we hold in the highest regard in our 
West Michigan community.
  I wish Mr. DeVos all the best as he celebrates such a significant 
milestone with family and friends.
  Mr. Speaker, please let it be known that on this 28th day of February 
in 2006, that the U.S. House of Representatives acknowledges the 
contributions and achievements of Mr. DeVos, and may God continue to 
bless him in the years ahead as he has so benefited the lives of those 
around him.

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