[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 17890-17892]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING AND CONGRATULATING CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 215) honoring and 
congratulating chambers of commerce for their efforts that contribute 
to the improvement of communities and the strengthening of local and 
regional economies.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 215

       Whereas chambers of commerce throughout the United States 
     contribute to the improvement of their communities and the 
     strengthening of their local and regional economies;
       Whereas in the Detroit, Michigan area, the Detroit Regional 
     Chamber, originally known as the Detroit Board of Commerce, 
     typifies the public-spirited contributions made by the 
     chambers of commerce;
       Whereas, on June 30, 1903, the Detroit Board of Commerce 
     was formally organized with 253 charter members;
       Whereas the Detroit Board of Commerce played a prominent 
     role in the formation of the United States Chamber of 
     Commerce;
       Whereas the Detroit Board of Commerce participated in the 
     ``Good Roads for Michigan'' campaign in 1910 and 1911, 
     helping to gain voter approval of a $2,000,000 bond proposal 
     to improve the roads of Wayne County, Michigan;
       Whereas, in 1925, the Safety Council of the Detroit Board 
     of Commerce helped develop the first traffic lights in 
     Detroit;
       Whereas, in 1927, the Detroit Board of Commerce brought 
     together all of the cities, villages, and townships in 
     southeast Michigan to tentatively establish boundaries for a 
     metropolitan district for Detroit, embracing all or parts of 
     Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, and Washtenaw Counties at the 
     request of the United States Census Bureau in advance of the 
     1930 census;
       Whereas, in 1932, the Federal Home Loan Bank Board 
     designated the Detroit Board of Commerce as the authorized 
     agent for stock subscriptions in the Federal Home Loan Bank, 
     as an early response to the Great Depression;
       Whereas, in 1945, the Detroit Board of Commerce promoted 
     the extension of Victory Loans to veterans returning from 
     service in the United States Armed Forces during World War II 
     as a way of expressing gratitude for the veterans' wartime 
     service, and raised more than half of the total amount 
     contributed in Wayne County, Michigan;
       Whereas, in 1969, the Detroit Board of Commerce, then known 
     as the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce, was instrumental 
     in the establishment of a bus network connecting inner-city 
     workers with their jobs, which resulted in the creation of 
     the Southeast Metropolitan Transportation Authority, now 
     known as SMART;
       Whereas the Detroit Board of Commerce has been known by 
     several names during its century of existence, eventually 
     becoming known as the Detroit Regional Chamber in November 
     1997;
       Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber 
     of commerce in the United States and has been in existence 
     for over 100 years;
       Whereas more than 19,000 businesses across southeast 
     Michigan have decided to make an initial investment in the 
     Detroit Regional Chamber to help develop the region;
       Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber has supported the 
     concept of regionalism in southeast Michigan, representing 
     the concerns of businesses and the region as a whole;
       Whereas the mission of the Detroit Regional Chamber is to 
     help power the economy of southeastern Michigan;
       Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber successfully advocates 
     public policy concerns on behalf of its members at the local, 
     regional, State, and National levels;
       Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber has implemented 
     programs promoting diversity in its work force and has won 
     recognition for such efforts;
       Whereas the Detroit Regional Chamber is committed to 
     promoting the interests of its members in the global 
     marketplace through economic development efforts; and
       Whereas on June 30, 2003, the Detroit Regional Chamber 
     celebrates its 100th anniversary: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress honors and congratulates chambers 
     of commerce for their efforts that contribute to the 
     improvement of their communities and the strengthening of 
     their local and regional economies.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Walden) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Dingell) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden).


                             General Leave

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Oregon?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 215, a 
resolution to honor and congratulate the chambers of commerce for their 
efforts that contribute to the improvement of communities and the 
strengthening of local and regional economies.
  At the Federal level, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce makes up the 
world's largest not-for-profit business federation. It represents 3 
million businesses, 3,000 State and local chambers, 830 business 
associations and 92 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. These groups 
are of all sizes and shapes, from large Fortune 500 companies to home-
based one-person operations. A full 96 percent of the membership is 
made up of businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
  The real work that is done in the trenches is done by local and 
regional chambers of commerce. It is these organizations that employ 
labor law experts, human resource professionals and pro-business staff 
lobbyists within one organization to bring businesses resources that 
they need. They provide help and information from the big picture of 
public policy to the nitty-gritty of complex employment laws.
  In addition, these local and regional chambers give small businesses 
a legislative voice to promote business, protect the private sector 
from excessive government mandates and help prepare States for 
prosperous futures.
  Mr. Speaker, I can tell my colleagues as well that these local 
chambers of commerce are leaders in their communities, assisting in 
civic organizations and in community pride work, cleaning up 
communities, helping neighbors, working on community events, helping

[[Page 17891]]

for charitable causes, the men and women, the entrepreneurs of our 
communities who are really the success story of our economy.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members join me in supporting H. Con. 
Res. 215, supporting and honoring our chambers of commerce and their 
members. They offer unprecedented benefits, discounts and opportunities 
to business, which helps make States, regions and localities strong, 
healthy and vibrant.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve balance of my time.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in support of this fine 
legislation, H. Con. Res. 215, and I join in the congratulations of the 
Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary.
  I want to first thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the 
distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for 
making this event possible, and I also want to commend my good friend 
the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) for his leadership and 
for the fine work that he has done on this legislation. I also thank 
all of my Michigan colleagues who joined on as co-sponsors; and, 
indeed, this is good legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, the business community has been much enriched by the 
fine work of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and by its work 
as a major economic engine for southeastern Michigan. It has played an 
enormously important role over Michigan's prosperity in the last 100 
years.
  Beginning in 1903 with 253 charter members, the Detroit Regional 
Chamber grew into what it is today, the largest chamber of commerce in 
the United States with more than 1,000 active members. During that 
time, the Detroit Regional Chamber has made many important 
contributions to the communities, not only in my district but 
throughout the entire part of southeastern Michigan. It began with its 
important participation in the Campaign for Good Roads in 1910 and 
1911. As it has gone forward to do its splendid work in establishing 
mass transit systems, the SMART bus system, the Detroit Regional 
Chamber has indeed proven itself a reliable community leader in 
southeastern Michigan in all kinds of good causes.
  With a new century coming on, new challenges face our region. Judging 
from the past 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber will continue to 
remain an important leader that southeastern Michigan has come to 
depend upon. I am sure that my colleagues and I stand ready to continue 
working with the Detroit Regional Chamber and other community leaders 
to meet the challenges that face our part of the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I salute the Detroit Regional Chamber on its 100th 
anniversary and wish it great success in the 21st century.
  Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to chambers of 
commerce for their efforts to improve our communities and strengthen 
economy. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 
Detroit Regional Chamber in particular. This year it is celebrating its 
100th anniversary of existence.
  Chambers of commerce are integral to millions of companies, large and 
small, throughout this country. They represent businesses and promote 
their interests before federal, state, and local governments. The 
Detroit Regional Chamber is no different. Currently over 19,000 
businesses across southeast Michigan are members of the Detroit 
Regional Chamber, and that number continues to grow.
  During their century of existence, the Detroit Regional Chamber has 
had a major impact on Michigan and the United States economy. House 
Concurrent Resolution 215 highlights its excellence and I am pleased so 
many of my colleagues from Michigan could cosponsor the resolution. I 
would particularly like to thank my friend, the ranking member of the 
House Energy and Commerce Committee and fellow Michigander, Congressman 
John Dingell, for introducing this resolution with me and working with 
the Chairman to see this resolution could be brought to the floor 
today.
  House Concurrent Resolution 215 recognizes many of the chief 
accomplishments of the Detroit Regional Chamber. In 1903, the Detroit 
Board of Commerce was formally organized with 253 charter members. 
Since then, it has been known by several names, most recently in 1997 
it officially became the Detroit Regional Chamber.
  The resolution points out the Detroit Regional Chamber's involvement 
in a 1910-11 campaign to gain voter approval of a $2 million bond 
proposal to improve the roads of Wayne County and played a prominent 
role in the formation of the United States Chamber of Commerce. It also 
notes the Detroit Regional Chamber's help to develop the first traffic 
lights in Detroit in 1925 and the establishment of a bus network 
connecting inner-city workers with their jobs in 1969, which resulted 
in the creation of the Southeast Metropolitan Transportation Authority 
(SMART).
  Later this week on Wednesday the Detroit Regional Chamber will 
celebrate their one hundred year anniversary at Greenfield Village in 
Dearborn. Unfortunately, I will be here in the House of Representatives 
and will not be able to attend, but I am pleased the House could 
recognize the Detroit Regional Chamber by considering this resolution.
  I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Concurrent Resolution 215, to honor this nation's chambers of commerce 
for their contributions to help strengthen communities and local 
economies, and in particular to congratulate the Detroit Regional 
Chamber on celebrating its 100th anniversary.
  Originally established on June 30, 1903 as the Detroit Board of 
Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber was formed with 253 charter 
members. The Chamber has seen many changes since that time--the 
organization has grown to include more than 19,000 businesses and has 
had several name changes. What has not changed is the chamber's record 
of service to the residents and businesses of the Metro Detroit area.
  The Chamber has taken a leadership role in public policy in dealings 
with both the Michigan State Legislature and the U.S. Congress on 
legislation that may impact the business community. In recent years, 
they have effectively focused their efforts more broadly on 
coordinating the vital effort around efficient and secure operations at 
the U.S.-Canada border. Their annual Leadership Policy Conference, 
brings together business, government and community leaders to discuss a 
wide array of issues, from health care to energy policy and economic 
development to ethics. In attending these conferences, I have seen how 
the Detroit Regional Chamber has been increasingly involved in 
discussing and confronting the wide variety of challenges facing the 
City of Detroit and relations with the entire metropolitan area.
  The Chamber also provides small business and international trade 
counseling and works to develop the region's economic viability by 
attracting people, money and jobs. The Chamber is also heavily involved 
in working toward transportation solutions to improve the ability of 
the workers in the region to get to their jobs.
  It is fitting that we should take the time to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the Detroit Regional Chamber and I offer my best wishes 
for their continued success as they begin their second century of 
service to Metro Detroit.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 215.
  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Detroit Regional 
Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Chamber 
has been consistently working over the past century on a wide range of 
issues running the gamut from public transportation to maintaining a 
quality and competitive workforce. For more than three generations the 
Chamber has played an integral part in the astounding growth and change 
throughout Detroit and Southeast Michigan. I am confident in the 21st 
century, which faces many new challenges, that the Chamber and its 
members will continue to make Michigan an outstanding place for 
families and businesses alike.
  When less than a dozen businessmen got together February 3, 1903, to 
more effectively represent the merchants of Detroit, they were working 
in an environment drastically different from that of today. At the same 
time, the Ford Motor Company, then a small family business, had the 
nearly impossible dream nurtured by the young Henry Ford, that 
automobiles could be mass produced and made affordable to families in 
America. Much of the area was still rural and the automobile industry 
was only in its infancy.
  Michael J. Murphy, the president of the Murphy Chair Company was the 
first leader of the Detroit Regional Chamber and in 1911, realized that 
the manufacture of automobiles could have a far reaching impact on our 
economy and lifestyle the Chamber developed a campaign named ``Good 
Roads For Michigan''

[[Page 17892]]

campaign, and secured voter approval of a modest bond proposal the 
proceeds of which would then be used to improve Wayne County's then-
woeful roads. Meanwhile, as its membership grew the Chamber found it 
necessary to expand, and build a modern three-story building as its 
headquarters.
  The Chamber's early success was a sign of things to come. In 1920, 
Detroit police officer William Potts determined to do something about 
the problem of automobile traffic, rising at the time in Michigan as 
elsewhere. With thirty-seven dollars, he created the world's first 
traffic light, at Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit. At about 
the same time, African American inventor Garrett Morgan invented the 
first electric automatic traffic light, providing the prototype on 
which today's four-way traffic lights are based, and which led the way 
for the creation of Davison Highway, the nation's very first 
expressway. The Chamber helped to install these first traffic lights, 
and through this magnificent technology, helped enhance the economic 
prospects of Michigan and indeed the world. The Chamber would go on to 
support the establishment of a train route between Detroit and 
Washington, D.C., providing a critical link between government and 
automotive innovation.
  The Chamber's leadership has gone far beyond just doing business. In 
1965, the Chamber took a dramatic step in favor of the Civil Rights 
movement, when it published an appeal in support of the United Negro 
College Fund, stating, ``We must open the doors of opportunity.'' The 
Chamber further distinguished itself in 1975, when it decided to begin 
offering health insurance plans to companies with under 25 employees. 
This program remains extremely successful and has provided Detroit 
small businesses with health insurance for nearly 35 years.
  Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber continues its astounding work. 
Under the leadership of Chairman of the Board Benjamin C. Maibach III, 
the Chamber strives to improve upon its past successes. It now has over 
18,000 members, including the most diverse Board of Directors in its 
history. They include former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Attorney 
David Baker Lewis, Dr. Arthur Porter, Frank Fountain, Roderick Gillum, 
Dr. Irvin Reid, Linda Watters, the Rev. Jim Holley, Yousif Ghafari, 
John James, Elham Jabiru-Shayota, Dr. Fern Espino, and Dr. J. Carlos 
Borrego.
  I have great respect for the history surrounding the Chamber, and 
believe its efforts to improve the quality of life for all of Southeast 
Michigan's residents will continue. There is every reason to believe 
that the Detroit Chamber's next century will be even more successful 
than its first.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Walden) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 215.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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