[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 77 (Tuesday, May 19, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S3055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING A. ALFRED TAUBMAN

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the remarkable 
legacy of A. Alfred Taubman, an innovator whose work shaped the modern 
retail process for Americans and whose philanthropic endeavors have 
made an immeasurable impact across metro Detroit.
  Mr. Taubman's story is an embodiment of the American dream. A first 
generation American, and the son of immigrants who fled Europe in the 
Great Depression looking for a chance to build a better life, Mr. 
Taubman came from humble beginnings. From this foundation, Mr. Taubman 
sought to follow his father into a career as a builder and quickly 
became a visionary by setting new trends in the retail shopping 
industry, which made him one of the most successful businessmen in the 
State of Michigan.
  Despite entering the building trade without much formal higher 
education, he quickly honed his skills and by the age of 25 started his 
own business. In the wake of World War II, as the construction industry 
focused on suburban homes and industrial facilities, Mr. Taubman saw 
another dimension to America's burgeoning middle class, the opportunity 
for a new type of retail hub for suburban America: the shopping mall.
  Mr. Taubman was a student of life, and took to heart the adage that 
learning is a lifelong experience; a principle which was integrated 
into his work. When he saw the opportunity to change and improve the 
retail shopping experience, he delved into understanding every facet 
and physiological component. This was a body of knowledge that he built 
into a formidable retail acumen. With this knowledge, he became a 
trendsetter, identifying untapped potential in developing communities 
and he led many successful endeavors.
  While renowned for his groundbreaking work in the retail shopping 
industry, Mr. Taubman was an equally avid and passionate 
philanthropist, with a deep appreciation for the State of Michigan and 
the arts. His own work as a watercolorist inspired him to make gifts 
and donations to the Detroit Institute of Arts worth hundreds of 
millions of dollars. His charitable giving also extended to the 
University of Michigan's School of Medicine, where his donations have 
been used to fund stem cell research, holding the promise to cure 
degenerative diseases including ALS, as well as the College for 
Creative Studies and Lawrence Technological University, which are 
shaping the next generation of artists and innovators. Having suffered 
from the effects of dyslexia, he also generously supported programs to 
promote adult literacy, which led to him being recognized as an 
honorary chair for Reading Works.
  A. Alfred Taubman's reach was both deep and broad in every endeavor 
he pursued. From his work in the commercial retail industry to his 
philanthropic endeavors, Mr. Taubman has left a legacy that will last 
for generations. His passion, knowledge, and leadership will be greatly 
missed, but I know they will inspire future entrepreneurs, creative 
thinkers, and community activists to succeed and make a difference in 
their communities.

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