[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       TRIBUTE TO ORTHEIA BARNES

 Mr. LEVIN. Madam President, on November 3, the many friends 
and admirers of Ortheia Barnes will gather in Detroit to pay tribute to 
her remarkable life and career. ``Careers'' would actually be more 
appropriate in Ortheia's case, because this extraordinary lifelong 
Detroiter has excelled in multiple fields.
  Some Detroiters know Ortheia as an entertainer. They have heard her 
voice accompanying Motown legends and recording stars such as Aretha 
Franklin, heard her powerful renditions of gospel songs or watched her 
sing during the annual Thanksgiving parade downtown or they have seen 
her in stage productions or local television programs.
  Other Detroiters know Ortheia from her civic involvement. She is 
active in a host of charitable endeavors, from the American Cancer 
Society to Focus: HOPE, to programs that help people recover from 
addiction.
  Some may know Ortheia from her political activism. She has long been 
active in Michigan elections, from city council to Senate, and she is 
an energetic advocate for the idea that every American, regardless of 
race or creed or color, is welcome and needs to be active in the 
political process.
  If you do not know Ortheia as an entertainer or supporter of worthy 
causes, you know her for her faith. She has ministered around the 
world, not only sharing her faith but doing the good works that are so 
fundamental to it.
  I am fortunate to know Ortheia for all the gifts she has given our 
community and in one more way: My wife Barbara and I have known her as 
a longtime family friend. Her family and ours have been linked through 
three generations, beginning with Barbara's and Ortheia's mothers. 
Ortheia herself briefly babysat our kids while she was in high school. 
We know how proud Ortheia's warm and wise mom Belle was of her daughter 
back then and of her growing pride as the multigifted adult Ortheia 
emerged.
  When Detroit gathers on November 3 to celebrate Ortheia's birthday, 
the dress will be sharp, the music will be proud, and the stories will 
be many. Whether we know Ortheia from the pulpit or the stage, from 
campaign strategy sessions or gatherings of family and friends, 
Detroiters admire her spirit, her energy, her dedication and her 
talent, and we thank her for all she has done and all she will do for 
our community and its people.

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