[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 102 (Monday, June 17, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S4113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGIONAL CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate the 
Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau on the 
completion and dedication of the Henry G. Marsh Mural and Plaza Project 
beneath the I-675 bridge. Sharing the late mayor of Saginaw's name, the 
Henry Marsh Plaza now highlights a main gateway to downtown Saginaw 
with improvements to infrastructure, increased safety and space for 
pedestrian use. It is a privilege and honor to recognize the life and 
accomplishments of Henry Marsh and the commitment of Go Great Lakes Bay 
and the many other Saginaw leaders that came together to create this 
community gathering space.
  Descended from an enslaved grandfather, Henry Marsh was born in 1921 
in Knoxville, TN. His upbringing in the deep South enabled him to 
personally witness the struggles of Black Americans attempting to earn 
equal status as citizens. In 1942, Marsh was drafted into the U.S. Army 
for World War II, serving in North Africa, and Sicily--arriving at 
Anzio Beachhead in Italy just 3 days before the Allied invasion.
  In December 1945, Henry Marsh was honorably discharged from the U.S. 
Army and returned to Knoxville College where he was a founding member 
of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on campus and served as the 
organization's president. Henry and his wife Ruth were married in 
September 1948 in Virginia, before Marsh enrolled at Wayne State 
University Law School where he earned his law degree in 1950.
  Henry and his family moved to Saginaw in 1954, where he opened a law 
practice and became deeply involved in the community. In 1960, he was 
approached by a group of businesspeople known as the Committee of 
Fifty, to run for Saginaw City Council. He became the first African-
American to be elected to the council and received the highest vote 
total of all the candidates.
  In 1967, Henry Marsh became the first Black mayor of Saginaw and one 
of the first three Black ayors elected in the U.S. Marsh held office 
during the tumultuous late 1960s. Three months into his term, riots 
broke out in Detroit and within 2 days, made their way to Saginaw. 
During his tenure as mayor, Saginaw was named an ``All-American City'' 
by Life Magazine, as well as a model city by HUD. Marsh served as mayor 
until 1969, when he returned to his law practice and remained deeply 
involved in the Saginaw community until his death in 2011 at age 89.
  Encompassing a 1,560-square-foot area, the Henry Marsh Mural 
illustrates the late mayor's life and contributions to the city. The 
artist Stephen Hargash created a mural that showcases Marsh's devotion 
to his faith, family, and community. The mural reconnects Saginaw's 
North and South sides and acts as a centerpiece for the new urban space 
known as Henry Marsh Plaza.
  Born out of a promise Annette Rummel, CEO of Go Great Lakes, made to 
the late mayor to turn the bridge named after him into a space he could 
be proud of, this mural and plaza project has transformed the area into 
a well-lit, pedestrian friendly space that reunites the community. This 
project is one of several legacy projects completed as part of the 2024 
Memorial Cup hosted in Saginaw.
  I trust that my Senate colleagues will join me in congratulating the 
Go Great Lakes Bay Convention and Visitor's Bureau and Saginaw leaders 
on the completion of the Henry Marsh Mural and Plaza Project honoring 
the legacy of Mayor Henry G. Marsh.

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