[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 22, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E685]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST BLOOMFIELD, 
                                MICHIGAN

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                          HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Township of 
West Bloomfield, in Oakland County, MI, which is celebrating its 175th 
Anniversary on April 22, 2008. The township's many beautiful lakes show 
why it continues to rank among Michigan's loveliest communities.
  In the early 19th century, a group of mainly Scottish Presbyterian 
settlers migrated to Bloomfield Township from New York, New England, 
and the United Kingdom. These settlers were attracted to the 
picturesque lakes that covered nearly 20 percent of the area, and many 
settled in and built sheep farms. By 1850, sheep by far outnumbered 
residents, with over 16,000 sheep contributing to the booming farm 
industry compared to only 940 people.
  On April 22, 1833, West Bloomfield Township was formally established 
as a General Law Township by an act of the legislative council which 
carved out 30 square miles from the western part of Bloomfield 
Township. Then on April I, 1982, the council passed a resolution 
establishing West Bloomfield as a Charter Township.
  Today, West Bloomfield, known as the ``lake township of Oakland 
County,'' is one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse 
townships in the country. Home to a large and active Jewish community, 
West Bloom1ield opened the first Holocaust Memorial Center of its kind 
in 1981. It has since expanded and been moved to Farmington Hills, 
something I was proud to assist and support, but its roots are firmly 
planted with the residents of West Bloomfield. In addition, there is a 
growing Chaldean community that has worked to integrate fellow Arab 
immigrants into life in the United States.
  Madam Speaker, today West Bloomfield is a vibrant, diverse community 
in Oakland County that is home to over 64,000 residents and 25 
beautiful lakes. I congratulate them on their 175th anniversary and 
wish the residents many more years of prosperity.

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