[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 68 (Thursday, April 20, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E516]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF MIKE ILITCH FOR RECEIVING THE 2017 VERN SEEFELDT 
                       LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 20, 2017

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mike Ilitch for 
receiving the 2017 Vern Seefeldt Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 
Governor's Fitness Awards Banquet. Mr. Ilitch was a Detroit icon whose 
business and philanthropy have shaped Detroit and the surrounding 
communities.
  A lifelong Detroiter, Mr. Ilitch joined the Marines after graduating 
from Cooley High School and then played professional baseball in the 
Detroit Tigers organization. He then began a pizza operation that, 
along with his success as a door-to-door salesman, earned enough money 
to open a dedicated restaurant called Little Caesar's. The chain became 
a massive success, and Mr. Ilitch used the proceeds to purchase the 
Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers sports franchises. Additionally, 
Mr. Ilitch was a strong supporter of the city of Detroit, refurbishing 
the Fox Theatre and moving his business headquarters downtown in the 
1980s, and continued to support education, nonprofit and civic 
initiatives in the city throughout his life.
  Mr. Ilitch is a Detroit icon whose life and work impacted countless 
individuals and was crucial to the City of Detroit's revival. His 
passion and hard work created a world-class organization in Ilitch 
Holdings, and he was committed to helping Detroit and its citizens 
throughout his life. Additionally, Mr. Ilitch revived two of America's 
great sports teams in the Detroit Tigers and Red Wings, bringing 
Detroit four Stanley Cups and two American League pennants while 
helping revitalize downtown. In addition, Mr. Ilitch was a committed 
philanthropist whose nonprofit organization, Ilitch Charities, invested 
in the community and future of southeast Michigan through its 
contributions to Detroit area civil groups. He was also a committed 
father and authentic individual with a kind heart, and he is missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mike Ilitch 
for receiving the 2017 Vern Seefeldt Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. 
Ilitch was a once in a generation entrepreneur and philanthropist whose 
work impacted countless lives.

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