[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 34 (Wednesday, March 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF JIM PERRY'S SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2016

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jim Perry 
for his 35 years of distinguished service at the Downriver Community 
Conference located in Southeast Michigan. Jim's commitment to the 
downriver community has touched the lives of many and is significantly 
responsible for this regions collective and coordinated success.
  The Downriver Community Conference (DCC) is one of the oldest and 
most successful interlocal agreements in the State of Michigan and the 
United States. Representing twenty communities in Wayne County, the DCC 
coordinates and supports a vast array of initiatives for its 
communities including; Economic Development, Job Training and 
Placement, Veterans Services, Public Safety Coordination, 
Transportation, Weatherization, Energy Assistance, Senior Support 
Programs, and Youth Support Programs. In addition to these programs, 
the DCC also acts as a critical voice in the region, advocating for the 
interests of its communities with elected officials and government 
agencies. It is a model nationwide for communities working together on 
many issues to the benefit of the entire region. The DCC is a 
remarkable success story, and Jim Perry has been a critical component 
of that success for the last 35 years. Humble in his success, he 
reminds me that it is only by putting together an extraordinary team 
that he can do great things. I entirely agree with that, and I stand 
here today to say that Jim Perry is a remarkable recruiter, coach and 
leader.
  Jim was born and raised in Allen Park, MI, graduated from Allen Park 
High School, and went on to play basketball at the University of 
Houston, where he excelled. He returned to Michigan and in 1981, began 
working at the DCC and has worked there ever since. In the year 2000, 
Jim was named executive director of the DCC, making him the youngest 
person to have served in that role. He has given so much of his time 
and talent to our region, serving on a wide variety of boards and 
commissions including; the Michigan Department of Human Services Board 
where he served as chair, the Southeast Michigan Substance Abuse 
Services Board, Wayne County Head Start Board, and the Detroit-Wayne 
Mental Health Authority Board, and the Allen Park Parks and Recreation 
Commission. Jim gives his time because it is who he is, and it is what 
our community needs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today to honor my friend 
Jim Perry for his 35 years of service to our communities. I thank him 
for his leadership and wish him many more years of success.

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