[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 71 (Monday, May 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO DR. HELEN GRAVES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 11, 2009

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Helen 
Graves, an extraordinary woman who passed away April 21, 2009 at the 
age of 84. She was a noted and celebrated innovator in the field of 
experiential education and a devoted, civic-minded citizen of humanity.
  Born February 21, 1925 in Pittsburgh, IL, Dr. Graves grew up in 
Southern Illinois, later deciding to study social science at Southern 
Illinois University. Upon receipt of a bachelors degree, she acquired a 
masters degree from the University of Minnesota and later a Ph.D. from 
Wayne State University, at age 50.
  During her career, Dr. Graves was instrumental in the development of 
young minds, preparing them for future civic duty and awareness. She 
established the first comparative political internship program in the 
Canadian House of Commons in 1984 and established the Washington 
Internship program, which she oversaw for 20 years. At the University 
of Michigan Dearborn, where she served as a professor from 1975-2006, 
she helped found the Women's Commission, which celebrated its thirtieth 
anniversary in 2006. She also earned the university's 1980 
Distinguished Junior Faculty Award, 1989 Sara G. Power Award, and 1993 
Outstanding Service Award. Dr. Graves established a number of new 
courses in the curriculum, including Women's Politics and the Law and 
Canadian Politics. From 1992-1995, she sat on the Screening Committee 
of the Fulbright Program for Canadian Awards.
  Dr. Graves was recognized by the Canadian House of Commons in 1993, 
elected delegate to the Democratic Convention 1998, and appointed in 
1984 and reappointed in 1986 by Governor James Blanchard to the 
Michigan Women's Commission. She was the first woman president of the 
Michigan Conference of Political Scientists 2004 and the Washington 
Center for Civic Education 2003. Dr. Graves' Michigan Internship 
Program was recognized by the Michigan House and Senate, and she 
nominated to the Michigan's Women Hall of Fame 2003.
  The legacy that Dr. Graves leaves is an eternal reminder of the great 
work one is capable of accomplishing when answering the call of service 
to the fellow man. Her endless commitment will be remembered, and her 
legacy lives on.

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