[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12942]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL GEORGE AND HIS DECADES OF LEADERSHIP IN THE 
                         GREATER DETROIT REGION

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, with a heavy 
heart, to mark the passing of Michael J. George, a respected business 
leader, philanthropist and patriarch of the Chaldean American community 
in Southeast Michigan.
  From a young age, Mr. George worked to develop his expertise in 
business and entrepreneurship. After graduating from Catholic Central 
High School, he went on to work with his brother, Sharkey, to establish 
Melody Farm Dairy Company. From a single milk route, Mr. George and 
Sharkey grew Melody Farms to a business with over $150 million in 
revenue, and a customer base 10,000 strong. He later went on to found 
George Enterprises LLC with interests in food products, real estate, 
technology, healthcare and banking
  As a man dedicated to his community, Mr. George felt a responsibility 
to help empower other aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve success. It was 
undoubtedly this commitment that led to his leading role in the 
creation of the Bank of Michigan, a community-oriented institution that 
specializes in small business lending programs. As a result of Mr. 
George's leadership, many small business owners have been able to 
realize their dreams--results that have strengthened the backbone of 
Michigan's economy.
  Mr. George applied his commitment to serving others to every facet of 
his life. Therefore, it seemed only natural that when his country asked 
him to serve, he answered its call and proudly defended democracy in 
Korea. In taking time away from his business interests and family, Mr. 
George's sacrifices and service helped millions of Koreans to realize 
their dreams of a free and democratic society.
  In Greater Detroit's Chaldean American community, Mr. George was a 
leader whose actions and vision were instrumental in its development. 
As the former Chairman of the Chaldean Federation of America and co-
founder of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan, Mr. 
George was a driving force behind so many charitable endeavors that 
assisted newly arrived immigrants and refugees to integrate into their 
new home country. With his experience and engaging in refugee issues, 
Mr. George was an important advisor to me and other legislative leaders 
on the challenges that religious minorities have faced in their 
ancestral homelands. Specifically, Mr. George's advice was vital to my 
ongoing efforts to modernize the Refugee Assistance Act.
  However, regardless of the transformational impact Mr. George has 
made on communities, families and lives across the Southeast Michigan 
region, no achievements brought him more pride than those of his 
family. To his loving wife, Najat, their six sons, and many 
grandchildren, he displayed unwavering dedication. Whether it was 
working in business with his sons or his family's Sunday night dinners, 
his moments with his family were of the greatest importance to Mr. 
George.
  Mr. Speaker, Michael George approached every endeavor in his life 
with passion and expectations that allowed him to see the best 
qualities of those with whom he worked. His belief in the goodness of 
others was exemplified by his method of engaging in business deals on a 
simple handshake. With unending optimism and dedication to helping 
others achieve the success that came to him so early on in his life, 
Mr. George has touched the lives of many people in Southeast Michigan 
and has left the region with a brighter future because of his 
endeavors. While I will miss his leadership, experience and friendship, 
I know that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of 
leaders to be active in the Greater Detroit community.

                          ____________________