[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KEITH PETERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Keith 
Peters, who is retiring from his position as president and CEO of the 
Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce. Keith has dedicated himself to 
bettering the Ypsilanti community for over 40 years.
  Keith Peters was born in Grabill, Indiana, in 1941 and moved to 
Michigan for college in 1960. In 1964, he graduated from Great Lakes 
Christian College in Lansing and married Betty Jackson, his wife of 43 
years. Keith honorably served the citizens of Ypsilanti from 1963 to 
1983 as senior minister at First Christian Church in Ypsilanti.
  After 20 years at First Christian, Keith changed directions and held 
a variety of positions within Ypsilanti's business community. In 1983, 
he served as production controller at Barfield Manufacturing in 
Ypsilanti. In 1989, Keith became sales manager at WAAM Radio in Ann 
Arbor.
  Keith began his career at the Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce in 
1995 as membership director and small business advisor. After just 2 
short years of hard work, a strong record of success, and proven 
dedication to the Ypsilanti business community, Keith became president 
and CEO of the Ypsilanti Area Chamber of Commerce. Keith's leadership 
at the Ypsilanti Chamber has yielded great results, such as the 
doubling of both its membership and budget, as well as the creation of 
the Ypsilanti Area Chamber Education Foundation in 2000.
  Keith has also given of himself to the broader Ypsilanti community, 
serving on such boards as the Workforce Development Board; the 
Washtenaw Development Council Board; the Board of Elders of the 
Memorial Church of Christ; the Advisory Board of the Eastern Michigan 
University College of Education; the Michigan Chamber of Commerce 
Executives Board, to name a few.
  Keith Peters has done tremendous work for his community. I am sure 
that his wife Betty, his two children, and his eight grandchildren are 
all very proud of him. Keith has provided spiritual, economic and 
educational wisdom and much of his time to the Ypsilanti area and I am 
proud to call him a friend: I wish him an adventurous and healthful 
retirement and am certain he will have great success in all of his 
future endeavors, both personal and professional.

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