[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 20, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4412-H4413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING DAVID HECKER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Michigan (Ms. Tlaib) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, in his 22 years of service as the president 
of the American Federation of Teachers of Michigan, David Hecker has 
been consistent in his commitment to working families, our teachers, 
and our education system, especially public education.
  Mr. Hecker became a member of AFT in 1977 and has served as the AFT 
president in Michigan since 2001. AFT Michigan, Madam Speaker, has 
35,000 members who are educators and healthcare providers working in K-
12 as well as intermediate schools, community colleges, universities, 
and hospitals across the State of Michigan.
  During his tenure, AFT Michigan has organized many new locals 
representing thousands of new members, particularly in higher education 
and healthcare.
  Mr. Hecker is a lifelong labor leader committed to working families 
and worker rights and building a stronger labor movement. For many 
years, David has been a member of the Michigan State AFL-CIO and Metro 
Detroit's AFL-CIO executive committees.
  I am blessed to call David a friend. Please join me in recognizing 
his 22 years of public service and commitment to improving the lives of 
teachers across Michigan as we wish him well in his retirement.

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            congratulating steve densmore on his retirement

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I recognize Assistant Fire Chief and 
Melvindale City Council member Steve Densmore for his 27 years of 
service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District 
Strong.
  Assistant Fire Chief Densmore got his start in public service in 
1996, Madam Speaker, and he was instrumental during many difficult 
times in our community. He helped lead the effort with the COVID 
vaccine clinic, the handling of two federally declared disasters, 
multiple commercial fires, and other emergency incidents.
  He has been recognized numerous times for saving lives and his 
commitment to our community. Over the course of his career, Assistant 
Chief Densmore showed his unwavering commitment through his 
achievements that include numerous certification programs and various 
rescue operations, techniques, and other technical programming.
  Assistant Chief Densmore has been an outstanding public servant, so 
please join me in recognizing his 27 years of commitment to protecting 
our families across Michigan's 12th District as we wish him well in his 
retirement.


                  Honoring the Memory of Rocio Ocampo

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, today I recognize a dear friend, Rocio 
Ocampo, a community mother, whose contributions had an enormous impact 
on the families of southwest Detroit, as we honor her memory.
  I first met Rocio when I served in Michigan's State Legislature at a 
parent advocacy meeting at Phoenix Elementary School. I was instantly 
impressed by Rocio. She was tenacious, and she had a drive to pursue a 
better quality of life and future for all children.
  She was involved in numerous community organizations, serving on the 
board of Urban Neighborhood Initiatives as well as the City of 
Detroit's Property Assessment Board of Review, as well as a Parent 
Teacher Association member at her children's school. Rocio's active 
involvement in our community was marked by her dedication not only to 
making it a safer and healthier place to live, but to making it a more 
beautiful place to thrive.
  Above all, Rocio loved her children and her grandchildren deeply. Her 
love extended out to the children of the neighborhood where she lived. 
She could always be counted on for a kind word, warmth, and generosity 
of spirit.
  Rocio Ocampo's vibrant presence will be sorely missed. Please join me 
in recognizing her contributions and services as we honor her memory.


                        Recognizing Marsha Bruhn

  Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of Marsha Bruhn, a 
public servant and longtime resident of Detroit, Michigan's 12th 
Congressional District, for her numerous outstanding contributions to 
the city as well as the Grandmont Rosedale community she calls home.
  Madam Speaker, before settling in Detroit's Grandmont Rosedale 
community, Ms. Bruhn lived all over the country. She developed her 
passion for community development when she volunteered with the Staten 
Island Citizens Planning Commission. The community engagement work she 
witnessed while later living in Los Angeles spurred her to return to 
school to complete her master's degree in urban planning. She used that 
experience and education over 22 years of service as the director of 
the Detroit Planning Commission.
  We were really, really blessed that she chose to live in our 
community in Detroit's North Rosedale Park neighborhood. She quickly 
became a champion of North Rosedale Park and the entire neighborhood 
area that comprises Grandmont Rosedale.
  Ms. Bruhn has contributed immensely to strengthening housing and 
retaining and attracting small businesses that are the backbone of our 
community's corridor. She spearheaded the capital campaign to 
revitalize the North Rosedale Park Community House. I thank Ms. Bruhn 
and recognize her dedication and thank her for her commitment.

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