[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7795-7796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNITION OF THE OAK PARK BUSINESS EDUCATION ALLIANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2003

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Oak Park 
Business and Education Alliance (OPBEA) at their Annual Community 
Awards Luncheon on Friday, March 28th at Glen Oaks Country Club in 
Farmington Hills.
  The Oak Park Business and Education Alliance is a non-profit 
organization of educators, businesses and government entities. This 
organization marshalls important segments of the community to focus on 
increasing educational opportunities for Oak Park students. Since its 
inception in 1993, they have become an invaluable asset to the 
community.
  On Friday, this fine organization will honor a community activist, 
Mike Tobin, and a community institution, Oakland Community College.
  Mike Tobin, President of Mike Building Company of Farmington, learned 
his trade from his father who from the beginning concentrated on 
building homes that would open the residential market to more families. 
That practice continues today because Mr. Tobin's his first love is the 
single family affordable home. He shares the enjoyment of first-time

[[Page 7796]]

buyers when they realize they have become ``homeowners.'' Aside from 
his love of building, and his commitment to the future of the building 
industry and the workforce of tomorrow, Mr. Tobin is a recognized 
leader in the community and a devoted supporter of many charities and 
institutions, including the OPBEA.
  Oakland Community College (OCC) established in 1964, began with 2 
campuses and was proud of its initial enrollment of 3860 students. 
Today, they have grown to more than 27,000 students covering 5 campuses 
in Oakland County. OCC is an invaluable resource for the community, the 
region and the State as they provide a wide range of affordable 
services and educational opportunities to students of all ages. OCC is 
an active participant in the OPBEA Board as a connecting link between 
education and employment.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mike 
Tobin, Oakland Community College and the Oak Park Business and 
Education Alliance and wish them success in their future endeavors.

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