Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District honors the 10th anniversary of The Leadership Experience Tour (LET), a visionary platform founded by Shawn Fair and guided by the spiritual leadership of Dr. Anthony D. Shannon.

Since 2015, Mr. Fair has elevated emerging voices through corporate coaching and media, including the ``Follow the Leader: Fair to Greatness'' podcast. In 2018, he launched LET, now a national hub for empowerment, personal growth, and public speaking. Dr. Shannon, a respected pastor and author, has played a key role as Community Director, mentoring speakers and centering LET in faith, purpose, and transformation.

Together, they have inspired thousands across industries, launched careers, and built a community of leaders rooted in vision and integrity. As LET prepares for its August 2025 gathering at Michigan State University, we celebrate a decade of impact and the continued legacy of these two remarkable changemakers.

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District celebrates the incredible life of Shirley Bailey, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Shirley was born on December 12, 1936, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Clent and Beulah Cook. Her family moved to Detroit when she was a toddler. On May 22, 2025, Shirley peacefully made her transition, leaving behind a legacy of grace, kindness, and devotion to family and faith.

She met her husband Kenneth at Northeastern High School; their 70- year marriage brought forth Kenneth Jr., Robert, and Traci. Shirley was known for her warm smile, legendary meals, and dedication to St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.

She is survived by her husband Kenneth Sr., her children, a special daughter Barbara Cook-Dent, sister Elaine Williamson, sister-in-law Gloria Peters, 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many loved ones. Shirley Bailey will be deeply missed, but her spirit lives on in the lives she touched.

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District recognizes the incredible contributions of Betty J. Howard, a native Detroiter and leader in the field of public health.

Beginning her career at Critten Hospital as a staff nurse, Betty's dedication led her to hold several administrative positions. In 1987, she was promoted to Maternal Child Health Consultant for the City of Detroit Health Department where she co-authored several government- funded grants and devoted her time to advancing maternal and adolescent health services.

Betty's impactful career has led her to receive numerous outstanding service awards and certificates of recognition for her work. In addition to her service in the health industry, Betty is deeply connected to the Detroit community through her membership in organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and lifelong membership of the NAACP.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the incredible dedication and service of Fire Captain Donald Villard of Dearborn's Fire Department and well wishes on his upcoming retirement.

Captain Villard started his service with the Dearborn Fire Department on June 8, 1999. Since then, Captain Villard has served as Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2, from there serving as Fire Engineer and six years later promoted to Fire Lieutenant for three years. Since 2019, Donald Villard has served as Fire Captain for the City of Dearborn. In his tenure with the department, he's received many accolades including the John D. Dingell Medal of Freedom Memorial Commendation and Fire Chief Unit Commendation and has been awarded the Safe Driving Award over five times. His awards received are a reflection of his continued dedication and commitment to ensuring our communities are safe and protected.

Please join me in recognizing the outstanding service and contributions of Fire Captain, Donald Villard, on his well-deserved retirement. The 12th Congressional District thanks him for his service to our community.

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District honors Pastor Salters

on the 10th anniversary of her dedicated service to New Wine Ministries International. Her ministry is located on James Couzens, and Pastor Salters is a proud resident of Michigan's 12th Congressional District and a steadfast supporter of community empowerment.

Her tireless advocacy for single mothers, families, and the unhoused has transformed lives through a vibrant community pantry, back-to- school drives, and her ``Somebody Loves You Committee,'' which distributes food, clothing, and toiletries to those in need. Pastor Salters leads with faith and compassion, providing financial literacy programs, Easter baskets, and Christmas gifts for children across the district. Her leadership reflects the very best of our community: generosity, service, and deep love for her neighbors.

I congratulate Pastor Salters on this incredible milestone and thank her for her unwavering dedication to uplifting those she is called to serve. May her ministry continue to thrive.

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District honors the remarkable life and legacy of Bishop Earl Jerome Wright, Jr., PhD. A faithful servant, devoted pastor, and beloved leader in the Church Of God In Christ, Bishop Wright has left behind a legacy rooted in ministry, scholarship, and love.

Bishop Wright served with distinction as the Prelate of the Turks and Caicos Islands Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction and as pastor of Loving Restoration Ministries and Greater Miller Memorial Church Of God In Christ. His ministry was grounded in compassion, community, and unwavering dedication to God's people. As the son of the late Bishop Earl J. Wright, Sr., and Mother Geraldine Marvell Miller Wright, and the grandson of the late Bishop U.E. Miller, a foundational leader of the Church and architect of the historic Mason Temple in Memphis, Tennessee, he continued a rich legacy of faith and service.

Our prayers and heartfelt condolences are with his beloved wife Lady Elaine P. Wright, PhD, sons Earl Jerome Wright, III and Edmund Wright, and the entire Wright family. May his memory be a blessing, and may we carry forward the light he so faithfully shared with the world.

Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District of Michigan recognizes the opening of the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center in Dearborn. The center is a new facility that belongs to the Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit, a nonprofit animal shelter that provides invaluable services to our community and our beloved animals.

Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit has extended their animal rescue, adoption, and education services over the past 27 years to serve people and animals within and beyond the Detroit Metropolitan Area. We extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and volunteers who make the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center work every day.

Our district and community recognize the crucial services the MaryAnn Wright Adoption and Education Center delivers. We will see the impact of their contributions for generations to come, and we, alongside our animals, will continue to acknowledge their selfless dedication. I congratulate them on this momentous occasion.

Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District recognizes and honors Richard LeBlanc on his extraordinary 33-year career in public service and on his recent retirement as the City of Westland's City Clerk.

Mr. LeBlanc's steadfast dedication to community and service to our residents has spanned five elected offices, from his start on the Wayne-Westland Board of Education to the Michigan House of Representatives, and most recently, as Westland City Clerk. At every step, LeBlanc was known as a hard worker and accessible leader, focused on making our government work for everyday families. He modernized the Clerk's Office, expanded access to civic participation, and mentored countless public servants along the way, shaping the lives and careers of young leaders. He is proud of his strong roots and service to the Western Wayne community. I have seen his commitment firsthand.

His retirement marks our district's appreciation for his service to our families. His recent heartfelt tribute from city officials and the presentation of a key to the city is a symbol of how deeply he shaped Westland's civic life and communities. While Richard LeBlanc's formal legislative work has ended, his legacy of service and integrity will continue to inspire our community for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, the 12th Congressional District recognizes Arlene Byczek, a beloved resident of the Warrendale neighborhood in Detroit, for her decades of unwavering service to our community.

Originally from New Jersey, Arlene moved to Michigan to earn her nursing degree from Henry Ford College and settled in Warrendale with her husband, Richard, in 1975. She dedicated nearly 20 years as a parish treasurer at Sacred Heart of Jesus and continued her community involvement at Ss. Peter and Paul parish, helping with school fundraisers, Scout Troop committee, and serving as a basketball coach.

Arlene played a vital role in local organizing as a founding member of the WaSaTi Block Club and a longtime member of the Warrendale Business Association and Warrendale Community Organization. Most in the community know her as ``the Bike Lady,'' whose daily rides symbolize her deep love and constant care for her neighbors. Warrendale is better because of her.

The 12th Congressional District celebrates Arlene Byczek for her service to the community and our district. We send Arlene Byczek and her family our best wishes.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly honor the accomplishments and community dedication of Dr. Hesham Alalusi on his 81st birthday. We recognize his service as a distinguished engineer, educator, and humanitarian work at home and abroad.

He is proud of his roots and being born in Baghdad, Iraq. Dr. Alalusi was orphaned as a teen, and even under enormous challenges, he earned a PhD in civil and structural engineering from UC Berkeley and went on to shape Iraq's infrastructure and engineering future before political unrest led him to resettle in the U.S.

Dr. Alalusi's most enduring contribution, however, lies in the founding of the Alalusi Foundation, which has delivered over 830 million in humanitarian aid to orphans, widows, and families in Iraq, Syria, and Palestine, for medical assistance, food security, and access to clean water.

He has been married to his lovely wife, Diana, for 58 years, and has two children and six grandchildren. Dr. Alalusi's life exemplifies resilience, generosity, and global compassion, and I am proud to uplift his remarkable legacy on his 81st birthday.

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District recognizes the life and contributions of remarkable resident Lizzie Toles, as she turns 100 years old. We congratulate her on decades of community work that has had a lasting impact on our community.

Lizzie's roots started in Mississippi, where she was born. She moved to Detroit in 1952, eager to work and make our communities a better place. When she worked at a local nursing home, people always loved her smile and conversations that brought so much warmth and comfort to every person she met. Mother Lizzie has three children--James, Patricia, and Jerry--and has five grandchildren and several great- grandchildren.

Apart from her career and family, Lizzie has remained an active member of the community through her participation in water aerobics, bowling, and the Derrick Memorial Missionary Baptist Church. She loves her garden, and her home is surrounded by beautiful flowers, which reflect her love for nature. Join me in celebrating Ms. Lizzie on 100 years of life.

Mr. Speaker, today the 12th Congressional District proudly recognizes Staff Sergeant Essie Dell O'Bryant Woods, a lifelong Detroiter and courageous member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Known as the ``Six Triple Eight,'' this all-Black, all women unit served under grueling conditions during World War II, sorting over 65,000 pieces of mail per shift to boost troop morale across Europe. Despite facing racism and poor living conditions, Staff Sergeant Woods and her battalion cleared a six-month mail backlog in just three months. She earned numerous medals for her service and continued supporting fellow veterans for over 35 years, co-founding the National Association of Black Military Women and the Wolverine Chapter of the WAC Veterans Association.

Sergeant Essie Dell O'Bryant Woods' induction into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor is a powerful reminder of her legacy and the trailblazing bravery of the 6888th.

Mr. Speaker, The 12th Congressional District recognizes and honors Battalion Chief Ryan Phipps of the Dearborn Fire Department for over 27 years of dedicated service to the people of Dearborn, Michigan.

Since beginning his career on April 28, 1998, Battalion Chief Phipps has served with honor, rising through the ranks from Firefighter to Battalion Chief and earning over 30 departmental awards and commendations for bravery, leadership, and community service.

A two-time cancer survivor, Battalion Chief Phipps has shown extraordinary strength and resilience both in uniform and in life. His commitment extends beyond the station; as Vice President of Neighbors United, he has worked to support firefighters facing cancer. A proud father of four, including his stepson, and a mentor to future firefighters, Battalion Chief Phipps exemplifies the heart of public service. I thank him for his decades of sacrifice and leadership and wish him well in his retirement.

Mr. Speaker, today, the 12th Congressional District honors the life and legacy of Commissioner Irma Clark-Coleman, a tireless champion for the people of Detroit and Wayne County. From the Detroit Board of Education to the Michigan Legislature, the NAACP, and the Wayne County Commission, Irma dedicated over six decades to public service and uplifting her community. She was a fierce advocate for children, seniors, and working families, always centering justice, equity, and compassion in her work.

Commissioner Clark-Coleman was the first in her family to graduate college, blazing trails for Black women in leadership. Whether serving holiday meals to our community, helping others, or advancing housing justice, she did so with unmatched grace and conviction.

Her legacy will live on in every life she touched. My deepest condolences go out to her family, including her husband, Rev. Ron D. Coleman. Sr., her two children, her grandchildren, and her loved ones. We mourn her passing, celebrate her 88 years of life, and remember her deep commitment to public service. May her memory continue to guide us toward a more just and loving future.

Mr. Speaker, today, I want to recognize Caribbean American Heritage Month, and celebrate the culture, contributions, and history of Caribbean Americans in Michigan's 12th Congressional District and across our Nation.

National Caribbean American Heritage Month, first recognized in 2005, was established after years of global efforts to spotlight Caribbean Americans' vibrant culture and contributions to our country. Caribbean Community Services, a nonprofit organization based in Detroit, Michigan, has done an outstanding job of uplifting Caribbean history. Through their engaging events, they celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Caribbean and its significant impact on our southeastern Michigan communities. I am incredibly proud of the important work Caribbean Social Services undertakes to foster diverse and welcoming communities. I especially want to highlight their leadership in ensuring these contributions are recognized and valued as we celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Please join me in recognizing National Caribbean American Heritage Month and the contributions of Caribbean Americans across our Nation and the 12th Congressional District.