[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18774]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 IN HONOR OF THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAY PANTHERS OF METRO DETROIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2000

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 22d anniversary of 
one of Metro Detroit's most active and valuable organizations. For more 
than two decades, the Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit have been 
organized with the goal of advancing the causes of aging Americans and 
social justice for all.
  The Gray Panthers were established on a national level in 1970. But 
it wasn't until 1978 that Lillian Rosinger, inspired by the dedication 
to social reform of Gray Panthers founder Maggie Kuhn, organized and 
was elected first convener of the Metro North Gray Panthers.
  In the 22 years that followed, the all-volunteer network of grass 
roots activists has touched the lives of citizens across the tri-county 
area. They are a diverse combination of both younger and older people 
dreaming and working together for a better society. They have long 
championed the idea of a single payer health care system that will 
cover all Americans, young and old, rich or poor. The Gray Panthers 
have also taken strong, well-researched positions which support the 
strengthening of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
  True to their founding, the Gray Panthers have vigorously opposed 
discrimination based on age, sex, and race. They have put their hearts, 
minds and bodies on the lines in rallies, protest marches and public 
gatherings nationwide. At the local level, they can be seen rallying in 
support of locked out newspaper strikers or organizing a ``Medicare For 
All'' petition drive. Through their newsletters, website and e-mail 
action alerts, members have contacted elected officials in support of 
causes they cherish and in opposition to legislation they deem 
irresponsible.
  Please join me in recognizing the Gray Panthers of Metro Detroit's 
22d year as a force for positive social change in the Detroit and its 
surrounding areas.

                          ____________________