[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7185]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




THE OCCASION OF THE DETROIT HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S GRAND REOPENING OF THE 
                       DOSSIN GREAT LAKES MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 17, 2013

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Detroit Historical Society as its members gather to celebrate the grand 
re-opening of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit, 
Michigan.
  Founded ninety-two years ago, the Detroit Historical Society was 
formed with the mission of ensuring that the Detroit region's unique 
history and contributions to our nation are preserved for future 
generations. In 1928, the Historical Society founded the Detroit 
Historical Museum and has been the driving force behind the fundraising 
and volunteer recruitment efforts that have been essential to its 
continuing operations. Just recently, in 2006, the Historical Society 
reclaimed responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Museum 
and its collections, which contain more than 250,000 artifacts. These 
artifacts not only showcase important pieces of Americana, but also 
remind us of Detroit's roles as a crucial center for American 
industrial innovation, a linchpin in the Arsenal of Democracy and a 
birthplace of uniquely American music, like Motown.
  In 2009, the Detroit Historical Society launched its Past>Forward 
Campaign, which has raised the resources necessary to expand the 
exhibits and educational offerings provided by the Detroit Historical 
Museum. This campaign is also the key source of support for the 
renovation of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, which showcases the story 
of the Great Lakes and how they have impacted the development of 
Greater Detroit.
  Founded in 1949, the Dossin Great Lakes Museum provides visitors with 
an array of exhibits that highlight Michigan's rich maritime history, 
going back more than three hundred years. Among its permanent exhibits, 
the Dossin Museum allows visitors a chance to see the anchor of the 
legendary S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. When the Dossin Museum re-opens this 
month, thanks to the hard work of the Detroit Historical Society and 
its Past>Forward Campaign, it will include a new permanent exhibit 
titled Built by the River. Built by the River tells the story of the 
Detroit River and how this incredible natural resource has shaped the 
City of Detroit and the Southeast Michigan region, serving as the 
epicenter of a commercial and manufacturing revolution in the United 
States.
  Mr. Speaker, as a fifth-generation Michigander, I am proud of the 
work the Detroit Historical Society is doing to preserve and educate 
residents and visitors on the important role Detroit has played in our 
nation's history. I congratulate its members on the grand re-opening of 
the Dossin Great Lakes Museum and look forward to our continued work 
together in the endeavor to revitalize Southeast Michigan.

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