[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 159 (Wednesday, October 28, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO MAXINE BERMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 28, 2015

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a remarkable 
person from my home state of Michigan, Maxine Berman, who is being 
inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame on October 29, 2015. 
Maxine and nine others will join pioneering women including civil 
rights pioneer Rosa Parks, former First Lady Betty Ford, the Queen of 
Soul Aretha Franklin, and the longtime dean of the White House press 
corps Helen Thomas, who have been previously inducted into the Women's 
Hall of Fame for their contributions to my home state and to our 
nation.
  Maxine Berman served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 
1983 to 1996, where she earned a reputation for her intelligence, her 
thoughtfulness about public policy, and for her candor. She was also 
known for her steadfast commitment to women's health and reproductive 
freedom, including authoring a bill to require accreditation for 
mammography facilities and successfully lobbying the federal government 
to establish national standards. Maxine was also outspoken about 
challenges she and other women experienced in the State Legislature. In 
1994, near the end of her tenure in the Michigan House, she published a 
book about this experience--The Only Boobs in the House Are Men: A 
Veteran Woman Legislator Lifts the Lid on Politics Macho Style--which 
made waves then and is still cited today, more than twenty years later.
  After a few years away from government, Rep. Berman joined the 
administration of Governor Jennifer Granholm, where she served as 
director of special projects. In this position, Maxine was a powerful 
public advocate for vital issues including women's health and 
reproductive freedom, affirmative action, and stem cell research, and 
she led the Granholm Administration's effort to encourage local 
governments to collaborate in providing services to their residents. 
Her leadership was recognized by Central Michigan University, who 
appointed Rep. Berman to be the Griffin Endowed Chair in American 
Government from 2009 to 2013. This prestigious position is named for 
former U.S. Senator Robert Griffin and his wife Marjorie, and has been 
held by notable political leaders from both political parties since its 
inception.
  Her many accomplishments do not capture the influence that my dear 
friend, Maxine, has had throughout--and since--her years of public 
service. Maxine is always willing to lend an ear or a hand to talented 
people who want to serve, and Michigan has benefitted from the 
leadership of the countless women to whom Maxine has served as a 
mentor, confidante, policy advisor and coach. She remains committed to 
good public policy and grassroots activism.
  Mr. Speaker, it is truly fitting that Maxine Berman will join other 
notable women of Michigan in the Women's Hall of Fame. I encourage my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating her, and in thanking her for 
her leadership and significant contributions to Michigan and to the 
nation.

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