[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE ANN ARBOR HANDS-ON MUSEUM ON THE OCCASION OF ITS TWENTY-
                           FIFTH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 22, 2007

  Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of a world-class 
learning and educational institution: The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. On 
October 20, 2007, the Hands-On Museum will be Celebrating 25 Years of 
Discovery.
  The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum serves as a focal point for informal 
science education in the greater Ann Arbor community, occupying 40,000 
square feet in an old firehouse. From exhibits that tangibly display 
the effects of gravity, photography, anatomy, geology, music and many 
other scientific phenomena, to a live bee colony spread throughout the 
building; the Hands-On Museum brings learning to life. Special events 
like the Big Freeze and National Engineering Week are just part of what 
make the Hands-On Museum such a wonderful place; one which allows 
children and adults to experience learning first hand, together.
  The history of this great institution is filled with instances of 
well meaning people building it from the ground up. In 1982, a small, 
but extremely dedicated group of individuals came together to create 
the Hands-On Museum in the old brick firehouse in downtown Ann Arbor. 
They did this because they wanted a place for their children and many 
others to come and learn, while having fun at the same time. These 
volunteers were able to raise enough money to open the museum and 
ensure its future funding. These first efforts eventually led to the 
further expansion of the Hands-On Museum and in 1986 it received a 
Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant, which allowed it to open up new 
exhibits on the third and fourth floors of the firehouse. The Hands-On 
Museum initiated its own $6.5 million Capital Campaign fund, in 1993, 
which allowed it to expand by purchasing adjoining buildings and 
introducing new programs. Ever-evolving, recent renovations were 
finished in October 1999 funded with additional gifts and donations. 
Thanks in large part to the work of many generous donors, the Hands-On 
Museum has seen over 3.1 million visitors to date.
  The Hands-On Museum is a remarkable institution and has been widely 
recognized, including being named ``Best Museum'' in 2003 by the 
Detroit Free Press. It was also named both ``Best Museum'' and ``Best 
Kids' Activity'' by Ann Arbor News readers in 2006. Along with these 
awards, the Hands-On Museum has also received national recognition by 
the National Science Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library 
Services and the Association of Science and Technology Centers.
  The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum has now served to educate several 
generations of children. It is truly a treasure for residents of the 
City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County and the State of Michigan. I 
applaud the Hands-On Museum for all that it has done; all that it means 
to the children who walk through its doors; and for all that it will do 
to educate both current and future generations of children.

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