[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 19, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E330-E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING MARK ROBINSON OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY CATHOLIC CHARITIES ON HIS 
                               RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 19, 2023

  Ms. SLOTKIN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to the 
extraordinary career of a true servant leader. Mark Robinson has used 
his time, talent, and treasure to be the voice of the most vulnerable 
in our state, including more than two decades at the helm of Livingston 
County Catholic Charities.
  But it all began with a young boy from Detroit studying his 
multiplication tables and catechism. Shortly after the death of his 
mother, a young Mark Robinson, newly enrolled in Catholic school, began 
learning some of the lessons that would shape his life, including 
compassion, kindness, gentleness, and humility. Mark went on to attend 
Mercy College (now University of Detroit Mercy), and received his 
Master's degree in social work from Wayne State University.
  Armed with his faith, his education, and a firm commitment to make 
the world a better place, Mark began his social work career at 
Boysville, a haven for troubled young men, before taking a position at 
Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan. Through it all, he rooted 
himself in his faith, staying actively involved in Christian service at 
his local parish.
  In January of 2001, Mark became the Executive Director of Livingston 
County Catholic Charities, a post he has held for the past 22 years. In 
that time, he has used every tool at his disposal to build a team of 
equally compassionate caregivers and to extend the organization's reach 
into the community. That includes spearheading the county's first day 
program for adults with dementia, overseeing the Special Ministries 
program for adults with developmental disabilities, securing a federal 
grant for a countywide substance abuse program, providing mental health 
counseling and foster care services, and ensuring that in all that it 
does, the organization lives up to its commitment to serve all 
residents regardless of religious preference, sex, age, ability or 
finances.
  On several occasions Mark has opened up his office for me, and 
arranged meetings with local leaders so that I could hear from a 
diverse group of stakeholders. While he is retiring from his day job, I 
know his commitment to the community will never end, because it is who 
he is. I wish Mark all the best as he begins this new chapter, one I 
hope will be filled with quality time with his wife, Anne, and his 
daughter, Sarah. And if it isn't too much to ask, I wish for a winning 
season for his beloved Detroit Tigers. I would like to express my 
gratitude for the self-proclaimed ``city boy'' who has for so many 
years faithfully served Livingston County with his whole heart.

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