[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          MOURNING THE PASSING OF DEARBORN MAYOR MICHAEL GUIDO

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 7, 2006

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to mourn the passing and 
commemorate the life of Dearborn, Michigan's Mayor Michael Guido. Mayor 
Guido, 52, passed away Tuesday night at his home surrounded by his 
family.
  The son of Italian immigrants, Michael Guido got his start in 
politics in 1978 when he was elected as the youngest Councilman in 
Dearborn history. Eight years later, in 1986, Councilman Guido followed 
up this historic first by being the youngest person in Dearborn history 
to be elected mayor--a capacity in which he served until his last days.
  Despite being diagnosed with cancer in February 2006, Mayor Guido 
remained on the job every day, continuing to work long hours at City 
Hall and around town, attending public events throughout his outpatient 
treatment. He even found the strength to serve as 64th President of the 
United States Conference of Mayors, proving himself many times over as 
the leader of this bipartisan force for our nation's mayors.
  Mayor Guido initiated outstanding improvements to City services, 
especially in public safety areas, directed the construction or 
renovation of notable city facilities, and oversaw the completion of 
dramatic private developments that improved the city's tax base and 
long term viability.
  He was serious about his commitment to exceptional public service. He 
set high standards, and initiated many programs that were innovative 
upon their implementation. Among those are curbside recycling and 
composting, loose leaf collection, and a myriad of public safety 
initiatives--advanced life support, an emergency warning system, and an 
automated notification system. As a believer in technology to provide 
efficient public service, he knew that there is no replacement for 
personal contact and required employees to not just follow-up with 
residents, but to solve their problems.
  During his tenure as Mayor, he changed the facade of Dearborn by 
initiating development projects that revived the critical downtown 
areas, including West Village and West Village Commons in the west end, 
and Georgetown Commons in the east end. His drive to keep Dearborn 
attractive for families and young professionals in the face of 
competition from newer communities culminated in the construction of 
the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in 2001.
  Other significant projects included the expansion of the Dearborn Ice 
Skating Center, the construction of a new Police Headquarters, the 
expansion of the Robert Herndon Dearborn Hills Golf Course, the 
redesign of Ford Woods Park, improvements to Camp Dearborn and 
neighborhood pools and parks, and expansion of Esper Branch Library.
  While he will be remembered for his accomplishments, he will also be 
remembered for his humor and ability to relate to people. As an 
accomplished speaker, he adeptly incorporated jokes into formal 
presentations, and his conversation was pointed yet entertaining with 
quips and impersonations.
  Mayor Guido's impact upon the City of Dearborn and will continue to 
be recognized within his community and nationally. During an interview 
years ago, he said he wanted his epitaph to be ``He loved the people of 
Dearborn, and they loved him . . .'' We will all miss his leadership 
and will remember his legacy in the City of Dearborn.

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