Honoring and congratulating chambers of commerce for their efforts that contribute to the improvement of communities and the strengthening of local and regional economies.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. The Chamber has been consistently working over the past century on a wide range of issues running the gamut from public transportation to maintaining a quality and competitive workforce. For more than three generations the Chamber has played an integral part in the astounding growth and change throughout Detroit and Southeast Michigan. I am confident in the 21st century, which faces many new challenges, that the Chamber and its members will continue to make Michigan an outstanding place for families and businesses alike.

When less than a dozen businessmen got together February 3, 1903, to more effectively represent the merchants of Detroit, they were working in an environment drastically different from that of today. At the same time, the Ford Motor Company, then a small family business, had the nearly impossible dream nurtured by the young Henry Ford, that automobiles could be mass produced and made affordable to families in America. Much of the area was still rural and the automobile industry was only in its infancy.

Michael J. Murphy, the president of the Murphy Chair Company was the first leader of the Detroit Regional Chamber and in 1911, realized that the manufacture of automobiles

could have a far reaching impact on our economy and lifestyle the Chamber developed a campaign named ``Good Roads For Michigan'' campaign, and secured voter approval of a modest bond proposal the proceeds of which would then be used to improve Wayne County's then- woeful roads. Meanwhile, as its membership grew the Chamber found it necessary to expand, and build a modern three-story building as its headquarters.

The Chamber's early success was a sign of things to come. In 1920, Detroit police officer William Potts determined to do something about the problem of automobile traffic, rising at the time in Michigan as elsewhere. With thirty-seven dollars, he created the world's first traffic light, at Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit. At about the same time, African American inventor Garrett Morgan invented the first electric automatic traffic light, providing the prototype on which today's four-way traffic lights are based, and which led the way for the creation of Davison Highway, the nation's very first expressway. The Chamber helped to install these first traffic lights, and through this magnificent technology, helped enhance the economic prospects of Michigan and indeed the world. The Chamber would go on to support the establishment of a train route between Detroit and Washington, D.C., providing a critical link between government and automotive innovation.

The Chamber's leadership has gone far beyond just doing business. In 1965, the Chamber took a dramatic step in favor of the Civil Rights movement, when it published an appeal in support of the United Negro College fund, stating, ``We must open the doors of opportunity.'' The Chamber further distinguished itself in 1975, when it decided to begin offering health insurance plans to companies with under 25 employees. This program remains extremely successful and has provided Detroit small businesses with health insurance for nearly 35 years.

Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber continues its astounding work. Under the leadership of Chairman of the Board Benjamin C. Maibach III, the Chamber strives to improve upon its past successes. It now has over 18,000 members, including the most diverse Board of Directors in its history. They include former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer, Attorney David Baker Lewis, Dr. Arthur Porter, Frank Fountain, Roderick Gillum, Dr. Irvin Reid, Linda Watters, the Rev. Jim Holley, Yousif Ghafari, John James, Elham Jabiru-Shayota, Dr. Fern Espino, and Dr. J. Carlos Borrego.

I have great respect for the history surrounding the Chamber, and believe its efforts to improve the quality of life for all of Southeast Michigan's residents will continue. There is every reason to believe that the Detroit Chamber's next century will be even more successful than its first.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 215) honoring and congratulating chambers of commerce for their efforts that contribute to the improvement of communities and the strengthening of local and regional economies.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 215, a resolution to honor and congratulate the chambers of commerce for their efforts that contribute to the improvement of communities and the strengthening of local and regional economies.

At the Federal level, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce makes up the world's largest not-for-profit business federation. It represents 3 million businesses, 3,000 State and local chambers, 830 business associations and 92 American Chambers of Commerce abroad. These groups are of all sizes and shapes, from large Fortune 500 companies to home- based one-person operations. A full 96 percent of the membership is made up of businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

The real work that is done in the trenches is done by local and regional chambers of commerce. It is these organizations that employ labor law experts, human resource professionals and pro-business staff lobbyists within one organization to bring businesses resources that they need. They provide help and information from the big picture of public policy to the nitty-gritty of complex employment laws.

In addition, these local and regional chambers give small businesses a legislative voice to promote business, protect the private sector from excessive

government mandates and help prepare States for prosperous futures.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell my colleagues as well that these local chambers of commerce are leaders in their communities, assisting in civic organizations and in community pride work, cleaning up communities, helping neighbors, working on community events, helping for charitable causes, the men and women, the entrepreneurs of our communities who are really the success story of our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all Members join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 215, supporting and honoring our chambers of commerce and their members. They offer unprecedented benefits, discounts and opportunities to business, which helps make States, regions and localities strong, healthy and vibrant.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to chambers of commerce for their efforts to improve our communities and strengthen economy. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Detroit Regional Chamber in particular. This year it is celebrating its 100th anniversary of existence.

Chambers of commerce are integral to millions of companies, large and small, throughout this country. They represent businesses and promote their interests before federal, state, and local governments. The Detroit Regional Chamber is no different. Currently over 19,000 businesses across southeast Michigan are members of the Detroit Regional Chamber, and that number continues to grow.

During their century of existence, the Detroit Regional Chamber has had a major impact on Michigan and the United States economy. House Concurrent Resolution 215 highlights its excellence and I am pleased so many of my colleagues from Michigan could cosponsor the resolution. I would particularly like to thank my friend, the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and fellow Michigander, Congressman John Dingell, for introducing this resolution with me and working with the Chairman to see this resolution could be brought to the floor today.

House Concurrent Resolution 215 recognizes many of the chief accomplishments of the Detroit Regional Chamber. In 1903, the Detroit Board of Commerce was formally organized with 253 charter members. Since then, it has been known by several names, most recently in 1997 it officially became the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The resolution points out the Detroit Regional Chamber's involvement in a 1910-11 campaign to gain voter approval of a $2 million bond proposal to improve the roads of Wayne County and played a prominent role in the formation of the United States Chamber of Commerce. It also notes the Detroit Regional Chamber's help to develop the first traffic lights in Detroit in 1925 and the establishment of a bus network connecting inner-city workers with their jobs in 1969, which resulted in the creation of the Southeast Metropolitan Transportation Authority (SMART).

Later this week on Wednesday the Detroit Regional Chamber will celebrate their one hundred year anniversary at Greenfield Village in Dearborn. Unfortunately, I will be here in the House of Representatives and will not be able to attend, but I am pleased the House could recognize the Detroit Regional Chamber by considering this resolution.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 4 minutes.

(Mr. DINGELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in support of this fine legislation, H. Con. Res. 215, and I join in the congratulations of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce on its 100th anniversary.

I want to first thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Tauzin), the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for making this event possible, and I also want to commend my good friend the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Knollenberg) for his leadership and for the fine work that he has done on this legislation. I also thank all of my Michigan colleagues who joined on as co-sponsors; and, indeed, this is good legislation.

Mr. Speaker, the business community has been much enriched by the fine work of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and by its work as a major economic engine for southeastern Michigan. It has played an enormously important role over Michigan's prosperity in the last 100 years.

Beginning in 1903 with 253 charter members, the Detroit Regional Chamber grew into what it is today, the largest chamber of commerce in the United States with more than 1,000 active members. During that time, the Detroit Regional Chamber has made many important contributions to the communities, not only in my district but throughout the entire part of southeastern Michigan. It began with its important participation in the Campaign for Good Roads in 1910 and 1911. As it has gone forward to do its splendid work in establishing mass transit systems, the SMART bus system, the Detroit Regional Chamber has indeed proven itself a reliable community leader in southeastern Michigan in all kinds of good causes.

With a new century coming on, new challenges face our region. Judging from the past 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber will continue to remain an important leader that southeastern Michigan has come to depend upon. I am sure that my colleagues and I stand ready to continue working with the Detroit Regional Chamber and other community leaders to meet the challenges that face our part of the country.

Mr. Speaker, I salute the Detroit Regional Chamber on its 100th anniversary and wish it great success in the 21st century.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House Concurrent Resolution 215, to honor this nation's chambers of commerce for their contributions to help strengthen communities and local economies, and in particular to congratulate the Detroit Regional Chamber on celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Originally established on June 30, 1903 as the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Detroit Regional Chamber was formed with 253 charter members. The Chamber has seen many changes since that time--the organization has grown to include more than 19,000 businesses and has had several name changes. What has not changed is the chamber's record of service to the residents and businesses of the Metro Detroit area.

The Chamber has taken a leadership role in public policy in dealings with both the Michigan State Legislature and the U.S. Congress on legislation that may impact the business community. In recent years, they have effectively focused their efforts more broadly on coordinating the vital effort around efficient and secure operations at the U.S.-Canada border. Their annual Leadership Policy Conference, brings together business, government and community leaders to discuss a wide array of issues, from health care to energy policy and economic development to ethics. In attending these conferences, I have seen how the Detroit Regional Chamber has been increasingly involved in discussing and confronting the wide variety of challenges facing the City of Detroit and relations with the entire metropolitan area.

The Chamber also provides small business and international trade counseling and works to develop the region's economic viability by attracting people, money and jobs. The Chamber is also heavily involved in working toward transportation solutions to improve the ability of the workers in the region to get to their jobs.

It is fitting that we should take the time to recognize the 100th anniversary of the Detroit Regional Chamber and I offer my best wishes for their continued success as they begin their second century of service to Metro Detroit.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 215.