    [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 10, 2018)]
    [Senate]
    [Pages S137-S138]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                     MACOMB COUNTY, MICHIGAN, BICENTENNIAL

     Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 200th
    anniversary of Macomb County, MI. Situated along Lake Saint Clair in
    the southeast corner of Michigan, Macomb County is built on industry
    and entrepreneurship and populated with dedicated citizens and
    entrepreneurs.
      French fur trappers were the first Europeans to arrive in the area
    during the 17th century, and when they recognized the possibilities
    presented to them within the area's marshes, they sought new
    opportunities for trade. Moravian missionaries later established the
    first organized, non-native settlement in the area in 1782 as a refuge
    for Native Americans who had converted to Christianity along the banks
    of the Clinton River. In March 1780, Christian Clemens purchased a
    distillery, which is considered the first building on the site of the
    future city of Mount Clemens. The next year, he bought 500 acres for
    development, and the site became known as High Banks. On January 15,
    1818, Macomb County was formally organized as the third county in the
    Michigan territory and was named in honor of General Alexander Macomb,
    a highly decorated veteran of the War of 1812. High Banks was platted
    as the Village of Mount Clemens and named the county seat.
      Starting in the early 1800s and continuing until 1840, settlers began
    moving into the interior of the county and carved out farms from the
    hardwood forests. Families began focusing on agriculture as the roots
    of county villages and towns began to be established by this time.
    Germans, Belgians, and other Europeans also began joining the original
    French and English settlers during this time. During the 1870s, mineral
    baths brought international fame to Mount Clemens as many thought the
    waters had healing powers, though interest in the spas eventually died
    out in the early 20th century.
      Between 1920 and 1930, Macomb County saw its first population spike
    when it more than doubled from 38,000 to 77,000. This was caused by the
    establishment of Selfridge Field in 1917, now the Selfridge Air
    National Guard Base, and the beginning of the migration of automotive
    workers moving out of the city of Detroit. During the 1940s and 1950s,
    the suburbs again saw a population increase but the largest instance of
    growth occurred between 1950 and 1970, when more than 440,000 moved to
    Macomb County and helped make it one of Michigan's largest counties.
      Today Macomb County encompasses 27 local municipalities that nearly 1
    million Michiganders call home. Like our country, its people come from
    different backgrounds and ethnicities and share many different
    cultures. There are robust urban clusters, a prosperous manufacturing
    and economic industry throughout that is home to more than 18,000
    businesses, and beautiful natural features and agricultural lands in
    the north. All of this has contributed to Macomb County having over
    865,000 residents, making it the third most populated county in our
    great State.
      Macomb County has been an integral part of Michigan and our great
    Nation for 200 years. As a fifth generation Michigander living in the
    southeast Michigan area, I am honored to ask my colleagues to join me
    in celebrating this significant milestone for one of Michigan's most
    important and storied counties and all those fortunate enough to call
    it home. I wish Macomb County continued growth and prosperity for many
    years to come.

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