[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE OF SIR MICHAEL BERRY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 4, 2015

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, on November 8th, I will attend the 
commemoration services for Sir Michael Berry; an icon and leader in the 
Michigan community. Michael Berry was a son, a devoted father, a loving 
husband, and a pioneer in the community.
  Sir Michael Berry graduated from Fordson Junior College and Wayne 
College and in 1949, he became the first Muslim American to become a 
practicing attorney in the State of Michigan. He then formed a legal 
practice Berry, Hopson & Francis with his associates. In 1967, he won 
election to the Wayne County Road Commission, where he served for 
sixteen years, ten of which, he served as the chairman. Sir Michael 
Berry used his energy and enthusiasm to always give back to the 
community. He endowed a scholarship at the MSU College of Law, and he 
gave generously to so many of our great local universities, hospitals, 
and cultural institutions. Believing that education is a key to 
success, he was pivotal in the creation of the Michael Berry Career 
Center at the Dearborn Public schools and worked tireless to improve 
access to education for our children.
  Sir Michael Berry gave so much to the community over the years, 
without ever asking anything in return for himself. His hard work and 
continuous involvement with the Detroit Metro Airport inspired the 
Airport Authority to name the Berry international terminal in his 
honor. He was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National 
Ethnic Coalition Organization and was given the Knight of the National 
Order of the Cedar of Lebanon which is considered one of the highest 
and most prestigious awards for his humanitarian aid to his homeland, 
and for which, he came to be called Sir Michael Berry.
  Perhaps the most lasting legacy that Sir Michael Berry leaves is on 
the people he mentored and people he loved. He was an activist, a 
mentor, and advisor to many. He helped mold several generations of 
educators, elected officials, attorneys, and other professionals. In 
our community, he was considered an icon, but to his family he was 
known as a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-
grandfather. Based on the values of hard work, faith, and love, I know 
that his family will proudly carry on his legacy into the future.
  Mr. Speaker, Sir Michael Berry lived a life worth celebrating. No 
words can ease the loss that is felt by his family or this community, 
but we take solace in the knowledge that his example will live on for 
many generations. I ask my colleagues today to honor Sir Michael Berry 
on his extraordinary life and accomplishments.

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