[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 65 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E648-E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO A. ALFRED TAUBMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 1, 2015

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to A. Alfred 
Taubman, who made immeasurable contributions to my home state of 
Michigan and to our nation. Mr. Taubman passed away on April 17, 2015.
  Mr. Taubman, known to many of us as Al, loomed large in the business, 
cultural and religious life of Southeast Michigan and far beyond, but 
his beginnings were far more modest. The son of Jewish German 
immigrants, Mr. Taubman began working at the age of 9 after his 
father's business went bankrupt during the Great Depression. After 
serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Mr. Taubman 
attended the University of Michigan, where he studied architecture.
  The seeds of Al Taubman's success were watered by these experiences--
his father's construction company, his studies in architecture, and the 
drive to work hard from a very young age. He also had a keen 
understanding of the needs and wants of people in America's postwar 
economy, a period in which people migrated from cities to what would 
become thriving suburbs. Rather than building homes as his father did, 
Mr. Taubman focused on the shopping needs of suburban families, and 
helped to pioneer the growth of shopping malls.
  Over the years, Mr. Taubman's company designed, built, and operated 
shopping malls throughout the country. These malls, and other 
investments, brought him significant wealth--wealth he decided to put 
to use not just in his business endeavors, but in a vast array of 
worthy causes. Dr. Mark Schlissel, President of the University of 
Michigan, quoted Mr. Taubman as having said that his father taught him 
that ``If I make a donation, I have given once. If I then solicit 
monies, I gave twice. And if my contribution has inspired others to 
support a good cause, I will have given three times.'' The University 
of Michigan and its missions were especially close to Al Taubman's 
heart, as Dr. Schlissel and the entire U of M community would attest. 
While it is not possible to list each and every institution which 
benefited so greatly from Mr. Taubman's philanthropy, some of those 
which did in addition to the University of Michigan are Lawrence 
Technological University (where he also studied), Wayne State 
University, the College for Creative Studies, Harvard University's John 
F. Kennedy School, Brown University, the Detroit Institute of Arts, the 
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Jewish Federation, United Jewish 
Foundation of Metro Detroit and the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil 
Rights.
  Simply listing the institutions to which Al Taubman contributed so 
much does not provide the full measure of the person he was. On his 
death I communicated these thoughts: ``Al Taubman impacted the well-
being of millions who never met him because of his unwavering support 
for the health and education needs of all Americans. He earned great 
wealth but never forgot his roots. He reached the top but maintained 
compassion for the underdog. He could be very blunt but even more 
sensitive about the feelings of the others. He was much beloved by all 
of us privileged to know him over many years.''
  His commitment and active participation in the issues he cared about 
was on full display in the successful effort in 2008 to amend 
Michigan's Constitution to legalize expanded embryonic stem cell 
research in my state. Mr. Taubman was not only a vital financial 
contributor to the campaign, but as the Detroit Free Press noted, ``. . 
. he crusaded in ways that couldn't be measured by dollar signs, 
arguably providing stem cell advocates with their loudest voice during 
the 2008 campaign.'' He organized a fundraiser with former President 
Bill Clinton, hosted meetings where people could learn more about the 
science involved, and weighed in with the press and with elected 
officials on the merits of embryonic stem cell research and the need 
for the constitutional amendment. The measure passed. There is no doubt 
that had Al Taubman not so fully invested his time, talents, and 
resources into the effort the present pioneering efforts now being 
undertaken at the University of Michigan would not be happening.
  Mr. Speaker, the research at the A. Alfred Taubman Medical Research 
Institute on stems cells and beyond is a legacy of Al Taubman's and is 
likely to benefit untold numbers of people in our lives facing chronic 
disease who will

[[Page E649]]

never have heard his name, but fame is not what he sought. His many 
endeavors have touched and will touch the lives of countless Americans. 
I encourage my colleagues to join in paying tribute to his many 
contributions to our country, and in offering condolences to his 
family, including his wife, Judith Taubman; his children William 
Taubman, Robert Taubman, and Gayle Taubman Kalisman; his stepchildren 
Tiffany Dubin and Christopher Rounick; and to his nine grandchildren 
and great-grandchild.

                          ____________________