[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF MADISON HEIGHTS, MICHIGAN

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                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 29, 2015

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the City of 
Madison Heights, Michigan, as it celebrates its 60th anniversary this 
year. The City of Madison Heights was incorporated in 1955, and 
currently has a population 29,694 people.
  I have had the pleasure of representing the City of Madison Heights, 
centrally located in the 9th Congressional District, in Congress for 
the past thirty-two years. From walking in the annual Memorial Day 
parade to attending numerous events in the schools, important projects 
like the 12 Town Drains, now known as George W. Kuhn Retention 
Treatment Basin and the formation of the Madison Heights Community 
Family Coalition to combat youth substance abuse I enjoy working in 
this community.
  Known as the ``City of Progress'' Madison Heights residents have 
always prided themselves on a high level of community spirit, 
volunteerism, having top-notch city services, a rich heritage, and 
being known as a warm and family-oriented community. After sixty years 
of growth and change, the city remains embodied in that local spirit.
  Madison Heights originated from pioneering families, such as the 
Lamphere Family, who gave the community land in 1888 for the school 
house at 13 Mile and John R, and the Kendal family who donated their 
land in 1926 when the school was moved. Later, farm families came to 
Madison Heights in the early 1900s from other countries for the 
opportunity to start fresh and be self-sufficient, farming their land 
and often working to buy it. These families gave rise to the life and 
hope of the community that became Madison Heights.
  Today Madison Heights residents take advantage of the city's 13 parks 
covering over 140 acres; numerous recreational opportunities including 
a golf course, wave pool and water park, soccer complex, baseball 
complex, Friendship Woods and nature center, wooded walking trails, 
sledding hill, bowling lanes, dog park, public library and Heritage 
Rooms Museum. Residents also benefit from popular community events 
including a spring 5K run, Art Challenge and Art Exhibit, the annual 
Festival in the Park with fireworks, Memorial Day parade, Afterglow Car 
Show in conjunction with the Woodward Dream Cruise, fall Nature Center 
Open House, and Tree Lighting.
  While auto-related manufacturing remains an important component of 
Madison Heights economy, Madison Heights is quickly developing a 
multifaceted economy, attracting emerging industries such as defense 
and aerospace--Navistar Defense and lonBond to name a few. The 
University of Michigan recently awarded Madison Heights with an eCities 
5-Star Rating and ``Best Practice Community'' for the City's Economic 
Development programs. Madison Heights is proud to now host over 100 
major high-tech companies within its borders.
  As the City of Madison Heights celebrates this milestone, I ask all 
my colleagues to join me in congratulating its residents, elected 
officials, and businesses as they celebrate their history, preserve 
their rich local heritage, and look forward to growth and prosperity in 
the future.

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