[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT'S 100 YEARS 
                               OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RASHIDA TLAIB

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2019

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to the 
International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit as they celebrate one 
hundred years of service to the immigrant communities of southeastern 
Michigan.
   Since its founding in 1919, the International Institute has been at 
the forefront of creating a welcoming community to new immigrants to 
the Detroit area. Offering a wide array of services such as English and 
foreign language classes, immigration legal services, citizenship 
classes, education opportunities, and translation services has set 
itself apart as a trusted community resource. The International 
Institute has been accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice, Board 
of Immigration Appeals, since 1958. In 1990, The Institute was 
accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Service for Families and 
Children, Inc.
   Beyond its many classes and services, the International Institute 
has truly created cross-cultural dialogue and is a significant 
community hub. The International Institute building today houses the 
award-winning International Cafe restaurant, ``The Yunion'' youth 
services, the Brush Park Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts, and more. 
The International Institute sponsors, along with the City of 
Southfield, the annual International Festival, an event that dates back 
to 1926. In addition, the Institute has a vast collection of ethnic and 
cultural artifacts, which are on display for visitors to enjoy. The 
collection includes flags from eighty-two countries, the Ethel Averbach 
International Doll Collection, the world's largest collection (over 
2,500) of dolls dressed in native costumes from one hundred fifty 
countries, as well as the Wilkinson Model Ship Collection--scale models 
of ships, donated by Lawrence Scripps Wilkinson, which are replicas of 
ships on which immigrants came to the United States of America. The 
Institute was honored to receive in 2013 the Lucille and Marshall 
Miller International Artifact Collection.
   Please join me in saluting the International Institute of 
Metropolitan Detroit for its one hundred years of service.

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