[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E936-E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING TAYLOR'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2008

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge, honor, and 
celebrate the City of Taylor on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary. 
Incorporated as a city on May 13, 1968, and named after our country's 
12th president, Taylor's roots as a community date to the mid-19th 
Century. What began as a largely agricultural town grew into a 
prosperous and diverse city which features ample retail and industry 
for employment and safe neighborhoods for her citizens.
  Taylor first began as a Township when residents succeeded in 
petitioning for their own government in 1847. Like many Michigan 
communities, Taylor began to thrive when Ford Motor Company opened the 
nearby Rouge Plant. The Rouge, as it was often simply called, provided 
over 100,000 jobs at one time during the 1930s. This mighty economic 
engine created a boom in the burgeoning town that would carry it 
through the Great Depression and World War II, during which it played 
an invaluable part of the American war effort.

[[Page E937]]

  As the auto industry continued to expand, Taylor grew as well. At the 
time of incorporation as a city in 1968, Taylor had a population of 
over 70,000 and was one of the largest cities in southeast Michigan. 
Residents like to say that ``all roads lead to Taylor,'' a statement 
justified by the many major transportation arteries that flow through 
the city. Taylor has taken wonderful advantage of this fact by becoming 
not only a community that it is necessary to drive through, but also a 
community that is necessary to stop in and enjoy.
  Taylor continues to thrive today as a result of active involvement 
and partnership from its corporate and individual citizens alike. 
Taylor is home to numerous industries and businesses, a large and 
impressive new SportsPlex, and many beautiful new municipal buildings 
and community centers. Of particular pride to the city and the region, 
Taylor is the annual host of the Junior Little League World Series--a 
week-long tournament that features teams from across the globe.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues join me in honoring 
the City of Taylor on its 40th Anniversary. The City of Taylor is home 
to vibrant and stable neighborhoods, significant industrial production, 
world-class youth sports, and numerous commercial business 
opportunities.
  In celebrating Taylor's 40th Anniversary, we are honoring a city that 
truly represents the best of American history and progress.

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