[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 118 (Monday, July 22, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING KEN HAYWARD'S INDUCTION TO THE MICHIGAN BASEBALL HALL OF 
                                  FAME

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 22, 2024

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ken Hayward, a 
resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the occasion of his induction into 
the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame. His contributions to Wolverine 
athletics and the state of Michigan are worthy of commendation.
  Ken was born in 1963 to Bud and Pat Hayward as their only child. A 
native of Waterford, Michigan, Ken's talent and passion on the baseball 
diamond was evident from an early age. After a tremendous high school 
career, he received a scholarship to play baseball at the University of 
Michigan.
  A four-time letterman, Ken was also a four-time First Team All-Big 
Ten honoree. His time on the team saw the Wolverines win two Big Ten 
Conference Titles, two NCAA Regional Championships, and multiple trips 
to the College World Series. He still holds Michigan career records for 
batting average, RBIs, and games played. Going the extra mile for his 
team, Ken also pitched for his last two seasons, going 12-2 and 
recording 7 saves. In 1985, as a senior and team captain, Ken batted 
432 with 13 home runs and 64 RBIs in 65 games. His achievements earned 
him a Big Ten Medal of Honor and the 1985 Michigan Athlete of the Year 
award.
  Shortly after he graduated from the University of Michigan, Ken 
embarked on a long and successful career in the hospitality industry. 
Starting in 1985 as a sales representative, by 2010 he was the 
Executive VP and Managing Director of Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, 
consistently ranked as one of the world's top hotels. Ken was appointed 
to the Michigan Travel Commission by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2005 and 
then reappointed in 2008. Ken served as the commission's chairman from 
2008 to 2010. During his tenure as chairman, Travel Michigan secured 
funding to develop the Pure Michigan advertising campaign, which 
continues today as a national brand and marketing effort for Michigan 
travel and tourism. Since 2021, Ken has been a VP at Blue Cross Blue 
Shield of Michigan, directing their social mission and community 
affairs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating Ken 
Hayward and all the accomplishments he achieved on behalf of our 
Wolverines and the entire State of Michigan. A consummate professional, 
we couldn't have asked for a better representative of our great state. 
I thank Ken and congratulate him on this tremendous achievement.

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