[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 53 (Friday, April 4, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S2611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. PHILIP MASON

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it is my pleasure to recognize the 
efforts of Dr. Philip P. Mason, widely regarded as one of Michigan's 
most distinguished living historians, on the opening of the 50th Annual 
Conference on Local History; ``Michigan in Perspective.'' This 
conference, which Dr. Mason founded in 1958 and continued to organize 
and nurture for a half century, is one of our Nation's most outstanding 
historical gatherings, appealing to historians of all ranks. Dr. 
Mason's efforts throughout the years to preserve, promote, and 
facilitate the use of historical records is, indeed, an important 
endeavor.
  Dr. Mason graduated from Boston University with a degree in liberal 
arts in 1951, and subsequently moved to Michigan to pursue a master's, 
and ultimately a doctorate, in history from the University of Michigan. 
While at the University of Michigan, he served as Michigan's State 
Archivist from 1953 to 1958.
  In 1958, Dr. Mason launched a long and distinguished career at Wayne 
State University as a professor of history. That same year, he founded 
the Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs and served as its director 
until he retired in 1992 to return to teaching. By 1992, the Labor 
Archives had grown to become the official depository for the inactive 
records of nine international labor unions, including the United Auto 
Workers, Service Employees International Union, American Federation of 
State, County and Municipal Employees, Airline Pilots, American 
Federation of Teachers, and the United Farm Workers.
  The archives also preserved and made available to researchers the 
historical files of several thousand labor leaders, reformers, and 
prominent community leaders. In May 1975, the new Walter Reuther 
Library opened on the Wayne State University campus. By the end of his 
tenure as director, the library had become one of the major research 
centers in the world and an integral part of the research of hundreds 
of scholars, writers, film producers, and other researchers.
  Dr. Mason was promoted to full professor in the department of history 
in 1966. He also became professor of library and information science in 
1993 and his popular archives curriculum educated and inspired hundreds 
of young professional archivists. In 1990, Wayne State University named 
Dr. Mason a distinguished professor of history, a rank he retained 
until his retirement in 2006. Throughout his career, he received 
numerous awards, including the Alumni Faculty Service Award in 2005, 
the President's Exceptional Service Award in 2001, and the 
Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award in 1985.
  During his career as an archivist, he assisted many institutions, 
including Penn State University, Georgia State University, the 
University of Texas at Austin, and San Francisco State University to 
establish their labor archives. He was the major consultant to the AFL-
CIO in establishing the George Meany Archives at Silver Spring. He also 
assisted 15 other international unions to set up archives and records 
management programs.
  Dr. Mason played an active role as a member of at least seven 
professional societies ranging from the American Association of State 
and Local History to the Michigan Historical Society. From 1986 to the 
present he served as co-editor of Wayne State's award-winning Great 
Lakes Books Series, and in 1992, he became the editor of Michigan State 
University Press' Henry R. Schoolcraft series. He authored or 
coauthored eight books including ``Rum Running and the Roaring 
Twenties,'' 1995, ``The Ambassador Bridge,'' 1987, and Tracy W. 
McGregor: Humanitarian, Philanthropist and Detroit Civic Leader,'' 
2008.
  In addition to authoring and contributing to numerous other articles 
and television series, Dr. Mason has traveled for decades giving 
popular presentations that broaden the appreciation of Michiganders of 
their colorful Michigan heritage. And, along the way, Dr. Phil Mason 
has selflessly befriended, assisted, and inspired hundreds of young 
scholars to carve out careers in local history.
  I know my colleagues join me in honoring Dr. Philip Mason. I wish him 
continued success in the years ahead.

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