[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MR. J. DAVID VANDERVEEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 12, 2022

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. J. David 
VanderVeen on his retirement after 55 years of devoted service as 
director of Oakland County International Airport.
  Mr. VanderVeen first took the reins as director of the airport on 
February 25, 1967--several years before the position of Oakland County 
county executive was even established. Since then, he's served under 
three elected county executives, seven Michigan governors, and a 
whopping eleven presidential administrations. Madam Speaker, to put 
this into perspective, Mr. VanderVeen has helmed the county airport 
longer than one-third of the Members of this Chamber have been alive.
  However, beyond his record-breaking tenure, Mr. VanderVeen's 
accomplishments in that time truly stand out. Today, the runways at 
Oakland County International Airport capably handle an average of 
120,000 takeoffs and landings per year, ranking it the twelfth-busiest 
general aviation airport in the world. In addition, over 150 
corporations and more than 554 aircraft have entrusted the airport to 
serve as a base of operations, which contributes $1 billion annually to 
the local economy of southeast Michigan.
  Even our state's notorious winter storms, the bane of so many 
airports across the Midwest, have been no match for Mr. VanderVeen. 
Among his proudest achievements is that the runways never once closed 
due to snow or ice--the airport's steadfast ground crews have worked 
around the clock to keep them operational, including in 1982 when 
football fans flew in from all over the country to see Super Bowl XVI 
at the Pontiac Silverdome.
  Simply put, for more than half a century, Mr. VanderVeen's leadership 
has been a touchstone of Oakland County government. He doesn't just 
have institutional knowledge, he is the institution. And while others 
may have come and gone, Mr. VanderVeen has remained at his post, 
helping his colleagues as they navigate the challenges of a dynamic 
county and growing community.
  Several years ago, when Oakland County's first county executive, 
Daniel T. Murphy, passed away, Mr. VandenVeen spoke at a service for 
his former boss, remarking that, ``Dan Murphy set the bar high for 
political leaders in this state.''
  Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that, like Mr. Murphy, Mr. 
VanderVeen has similarly set the bar high for public servants--both in 
our state and across our nation. He has been an instrumental part of 
the county's success story, and there is no question he leaves his 
successor enormous shoes to fill.
  While I understand that Mr. VanderVeen will continue to represent the 
current county executive on the county's parks and recreation and 
airport committees, I know I speak for everyone when I say that he's 
more than earned some well-deserved time off.
  To his friends and loved ones, particularly his wife, Shelagh, his 
four children, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, may 
they enjoy the time they now have to spend with him. And to all of my 
colleagues, may we take a page from Mr. VanderVeen's playbook and 
strive, as he did, to always put service before self. It's my honor to 
spotlight his incredible accomplishments.

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