[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PAYING TRIBUTE TO MARA LETICA SAAD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2008

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the 
accomplishments of Mara Letica Saad of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, who 
has been honored by Crain's Detroit Business Publication as one of 
southeast Michigan's ``Most Influential Women'' over the past five 
years.
  Mara Letica Saad's experiences are unique, remarkable and in many 
ways, reflect her wonderful family's success story. Mara was born in 
Germany during her father, Ilija Letica's journey toward America after 
escaping communist rule in former Yugoslavia. Soon they reached their 
destination in Greenville, Michigan where Mara attended the local 
schools and her father began to work toward his vision for Letica 
Corporation, a plastic packaging company.
  Mara attended The University of Michigan where she earned a bachelors 
degree in history. She traveled west to Seattle University to study law 
and remained in Washington for several years working as a prosecutor 
and a commercial litigator.
  Fortunately, Mara did not stray long from Michigan. She returned to 
join the family business and after twenty years, Mara continues to 
successfully balance many roles as the corporation's executive vice 
president, general counsel and secretary. Along with her father and 
other family members, Mara has helped build Letica Corporation, now 
headquartered in Rochester, Michigan into a nationwide manufacturer of 
paper and plastic packaging with more than a dozen locations throughout 
the U.S.
  Mara Letica Saad's accomplishments are not limited to the business 
world. Throughout her life she has had a strong interest in her 
family's birthplace, Croatia, and was actively involved in Croatia's 
independence movement. With her father, she organized a group of 
attorneys in the U.S. to aid and supervise the 1990 elections in 
Croatia. Her efforts were recognized by President George H.W. Bush and 
she was nominated to be Ambassador to Croatia.
  An active participant in the Detroit area community, Mara serves on 
the board of the Motor City Lyric Opera and until recently served on 
the board of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. She resides in 
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan with her husband, Judge Henry Saad, and they 
have four grown children.
  Mara Letica Saad has excelled in her profession and her touched many 
in southeast Michigan and beyond.
  Mara Letica Saad is a loyal and loving family member with a passion 
for its history, culture, and human dignity. Madam Speaker, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring Mara Letica Saad, recipient of 
southeast Michigan's ``Most Influential Women.'' She truly merits our 
respect and admiration.

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