Recognizing David Hecker

Floor Speech

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Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, in his 22 years of service as the president of the American Federation of Teachers of Michigan, David Hecker has been consistent in his commitment to working families, our teachers, and our education system, especially public education.

Mr. Hecker became a member of AFT in 1977 and has served as the AFT president in Michigan since 2001. AFT Michigan, Madam Speaker, has 35,000 members who are educators and healthcare providers working in K- 12 as well as intermediate schools, community colleges, universities, and hospitals across the State of Michigan.

During his tenure, AFT Michigan has organized many new locals representing thousands of new members, particularly in higher education and healthcare.

Mr. Hecker is a lifelong labor leader committed to working families and worker rights and building a stronger labor movement. For many years, David has been a member of the Michigan State AFL-CIO and Metro Detroit's AFL-CIO executive committees.

I am blessed to call David a friend. Please join me in recognizing his 22 years of public service and commitment to improving the lives of teachers across Michigan as we wish him well in his retirement. congratulating steve densmore on his retirement

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Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I recognize Assistant Fire Chief and Melvindale City Council member Steve Densmore for his 27 years of service with the Dearborn Fire Department in Michigan's 12th District Strong.

Assistant Fire Chief Densmore got his start in public service in 1996, Madam Speaker, and he was instrumental during many difficult times in our community. He helped lead the effort with the COVID vaccine clinic, the handling of two federally declared disasters, multiple commercial fires, and other emergency incidents.

He has been recognized numerous times for saving lives and his commitment to our community. Over the course of his career, Assistant Chief Densmore showed his unwavering commitment through his achievements that include numerous certification programs and various rescue operations, techniques, and other technical programming.

Assistant Chief Densmore has been an outstanding public servant, so please join me in recognizing his 27 years of commitment to protecting our families across Michigan's 12th District as we wish him well in his retirement. Honoring the Memory of Rocio Ocampo

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Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, today I recognize a dear friend, Rocio Ocampo, a community mother, whose contributions had an enormous impact on the families of southwest Detroit, as we honor her memory.

I first met Rocio when I served in Michigan's State Legislature at a parent advocacy meeting at Phoenix Elementary School. I was instantly impressed by Rocio. She was tenacious, and she had a drive to pursue a better quality of life and future for all children.

She was involved in numerous community organizations, serving on the board of Urban Neighborhood Initiatives as well as the City of Detroit's Property Assessment Board of Review, as well as a Parent Teacher Association member at her children's school. Rocio's active involvement in our community was marked by her dedication not only to making it a safer and healthier place to live, but to making it a more beautiful place to thrive.

Above all, Rocio loved her children and her grandchildren deeply. Her love extended out to the children of the neighborhood where she lived. She could always be counted on for a kind word, warmth, and generosity of spirit.

Rocio Ocampo's vibrant presence will be sorely missed. Please join me in recognizing her contributions and services as we honor her memory. Recognizing Marsha Bruhn

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Ms. TLAIB. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of Marsha Bruhn, a public servant and longtime resident of Detroit, Michigan's 12th Congressional District, for her numerous outstanding contributions to the city as well as the Grandmont Rosedale community she calls home.

Madam Speaker, before settling in Detroit's Grandmont Rosedale community, Ms. Bruhn lived all over the country. She developed her passion for community development when she volunteered with the Staten Island Citizens Planning Commission. The community engagement work she witnessed while later living in Los Angeles spurred her to return to school to complete her master's degree in urban planning. She used that experience and education over 22 years of service as the director of the Detroit Planning Commission.

We were really, really blessed that she chose to live in our community in Detroit's North Rosedale Park neighborhood. She quickly became a champion of North Rosedale Park and the entire neighborhood area that comprises Grandmont Rosedale.

Ms. Bruhn has contributed immensely to strengthening housing and retaining and attracting small businesses that are the backbone of our community's corridor. She spearheaded the capital campaign to revitalize the North Rosedale Park Community House. I thank Ms. Bruhn and recognize her dedication and thank her for her commitment.

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