[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 177 (Tuesday, December 8, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1732-E1733]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING TED B. WAHBY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 8, 2015

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
accomplishments of Ted B. Wahby, who passed away on Saturday, December 
5, 2015. He was a warm friend who leaves a legacy of superb public 
service in its best sense. He will be deeply, personally missed by so 
many of us privileged to work hand-in-hand, and I am honored to pay 
tribute to his remarkable life accomplishments.
  Ted Wahby was a pillar in the City of St. Clair Shores, Macomb County 
and the greater region for over 50 years. He and his wife Yvonne moved 
to St. Clair Shores in 1964 and raised six children there. The Wahby 
family planted strong roots in the city as faithful members of St. 
Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church and the Shorewood Kiwanis. During 
this time Ted embarked upon a successful career working at Comerica 
Bank, serving in numerous high-level capacities for 31 years, including 
Vice President.
  In addition to Ted Wahby's love of family and pride in his successful 
business career, he held a deep belief of the importance of giving back 
to the community. He first sought public office in 1979 and was elected 
to Lake Shore School Board. Two years later he was elected to the St. 
Clair Shores City Council, and two years after that as Mayor, where he 
provided strong, forward thinking leadership from 1983 to 1995. Ted 
then decided to take his local experience to the next level by serving 
as Treasurer of Macomb County from 1995 until his passing. Over this 
twenty year period Ted devoted his immense talents to serving residents 
in a way that focused on the human element, while using his profound 
management skills to place the county in a strong fiscal position.
  Whatever public office he held, for him the test always was how his 
actions would improve the lives of others, and in our many discussions, 
he was most proud how as county Treasurer, he helped keep thousands of 
families who experienced financial stress from losing their homes to 
foreclosure.
  His community and civic involvement was rivaled by few. The 
leadership he provided on so many boards locally and throughout the 
region is yet another testament to his strong desire to serve the 
public. Ted was not one to seek credit for his work, yet he was the 
recipient of numerous prestigious awards and recognitions from 
charitable and philanthropic organizations, far too many to list.
  If there is one legacy of Ted Wahby's service that will be remembered 
and valued above all else, it is his premier leadership and advocacy 
for better health care. As a member of McLaren Macomb Hospital's Board 
of Trustees since 2000 and in the role of Chairman since 2002, Ted 
strategically leveraged his business and political skills to make 
critical advances in the health care field. Ted's mission of opening 
the Ted B. Wahby Cancer Center in 2004 was very personal for him and 
Yvonne, who both lost family members to cancer. He saw the need for 
compassionate, high quality care close to home, since at the time 
nearly 70% of Macomb cancer patients had to drive a far distance for 
care. He was a tireless supporter and fund-raiser from the very 
beginning, and worked for many years to influence local leaders to 
invest in the capital campaign. For his dedicated efforts, Ted earned 
many accolades, including the 2005 Health Care Leadership Award from 
the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, and the 2005 Thanks for 
Giving Award, presented for extraordinary volunteer service to 
hospitals in the Metro Detroit area.
  Over these last few days since Ted's passing, there have been 
countless heartwarming statements made by so many, but the one that 
sums it up for me is that above all, Ted Wahby was a family man, as 
stated by his children. His love for his wife, children, nine 
grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren defined who he was and he 
set an example for these generations to follow.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am profoundly honored to have called Ted 
Wahby my friend, and thankful for the opportunity to work side-by-side 
during his career and witness first-hand his effective leadership and 
compassion. I am humbled to join with his family, friends and the 
community at-large in mourning his loss, while celebrating his life and 
honoring his accomplishments.

[[Page E1733]]

  

                          ____________________