Congressman Sander Levin

District Events

Southfield Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Peace Walk - January 18, 2010

On Monday, January 18, 2010, Congressman Levin along with U.S. House Majority Whip Congressman James Clyburn participated in the annual Peace Walk. Over 2,200 people participated in the annual celebration. Congressman Clyburn, who met Dr. King during the Civil Rights Movement, gave some brief remarks. The Southfield Peace Walk is the oldest and largest event honoring Dr. King in Michigan. This is Southfield’s 25th year hosting the Peace Walk. Rep. Levin is pictured with Rep. Clyburn and Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence.

First U.S. Assembly Plant for Advanced Vehicle Batteries Opens in Michigan - January 7, 2010

On Thursday, January 7, Congressman Levin, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Governor Granholm, Congressman John Dingell, and Senator Carl Levin were on hand as the first lithium-ion battery pack for the Chevy Volt came off the assembly line at the new GM battery plant located in Brownstown, Michigan. General Motors and the federal government have invested well over $100 million in the Brownstown plant, which assembles advanced lithium-ion battery packs for the Chevy Volt. The Brownsville plant is the first battery pack assembly factory in the U.S. operated by a major automaker.

Royal Oak Township Seniors Dedication Ceremony- October 24, 2009

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, Congressman Levin attended a special event honoring residents of Royal Oak Township who are 90 years of age and older who have played an instrumental role in the Township. There were 25 residents in total receiving this honor. Rep. Levin is pictured with Douglas Anderson, age 92, who was the Royal Oak Township Supervisor from 1968-1974.

City of Warren “Trunk-and-Treat”- October 24, 2009

On Saturday, October 24, 2009, Congressman Levin attended the 4th Annual Warren Trunk and Treat at the Warren City Hall Parking Structure. This was a great community event where kids came dressed up in costumes and residents of the community handed out candy from car trunks in Halloween themed areas. Rep. Levin is pictured with Mayor Fouts and a young trick-or-treater.

Celebrating Success with the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities – October 12, 2009

Congressman Levin is honored alongside long-time anti-drug coalition leaders Margaret Blount, Deputy Lewis Tyler of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, and Karen Rimatzki for their work to reduce youth substance abuse. The ‘Champion for Prevention’ awards were presented by the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities (ACHC) at its annual Celebrate Success event. Rep. Levin co-authored the Drug Free Communities Support Program in 1997 to strengthen the grassroots work of community anti-drug coalitions. Today, the program supports more than 700 anti-drug coalitions across the country.

Groundbreaking for new Ground Systems Power and Energy Lab at TARDEC -- August 17, 2009

Congressman Levin joined Senators Levin and Stabenow and other community leaders at the groundbreaking for the new Ground Systems Power and Energy Lab at the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Warren. The new laboratory, which is funded by the federal government, will provide needed laboratory space for development of engines, fuel cells and energy storage devices, as well as enable TARDEC to expand its power and energy program. When completed, the new lab complex will enable TARDEC to test both entire vehicles and individual vehicle components, and guide the Army's next generation of advanced ground vehicles.

Weatherization Program in Madison Heights – August 19, 2009

Congressman Levin visited a home in Madison Heights for a demonstration of the weatherization process. The Weatherization Program, administered by the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, provides funding for energy efficiency upgrades for qualified homeowners in Oakland County. Through the Recovery Act, $5 billion was allocated for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Michigan received $250 million for the program. Within our district, Oakland County received $11 million and Macomb County received $8 million for weatherization projects.

Grand Opening of the Macomb-OU INCubator - July 21, 2009

On July 21, 2009, Congressman Levin joined local, state and federal officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Macomb-OU INCubator in Sterling Heights. The incubator is a collaboration of the Macomb County Department of Economic Development, Oakland University, and the private sector. It will provide office space, strategic advice, and a range of business services to promising start-ups, small businesses and entrepreneurs. The mission of the Macomb-OU INCubator is to create jobs and contribute to the diversification of the Southeast Michigan economy by fostering the growth of businesses in the defense, alternative energy and advanced manufacturing sectors. Rep. Levin helped to secure federal funding to support this important initiative.

Health Care Town Hall Meeting - July 3, 2009

On July 3rd, Congressman Levin attended a town hall meeting on Healthcare Reform hosted by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) at the Clinton-Macomb Library. Rep. Levin took questions and listened to their concerns, which reinforced the need to reform our health care system and keep the best of our current system and fix what is broken, so working families all across America can have access to affordable coverage.

Stop Hunger Kick-Off Event - July 2, 2009

On July 2, 2009, Congressman Levin attended a kick-off event for a summer long drive to feed hungry kids in southeast Michigan. A mobile pantry, provided by Ford Fund and Suburban Ford of Waterford and Sterling Heights, Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, Forgotten Harvest and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan are pushing to deliver 500,000 meals a day to those in need. Currently, 600,000 people in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties face hunger each day. Rep. Levin is the author of legislation to expand and make permanent an important tax incentive for small businesses, farmers and ranchers to donate food inventory to charity.

Michigan Works! Event at the Warren Consolidated School District Career Prep Center - July 1, 2009

On July 1, 2009, Congressman Levin also had the opportunity to visit the Career Prep Center in Warren Michigan. The program at Prep Center provides the opportunity for students to get practical experience in horticulture, which could lead to green jobs in fields such as bio-fuels in the future.

Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner Swearing-In Ceremony - July 1, 2009

On July 1, 2009, Congressman Levin attended the swearing-in ceremony of Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner. Mr. Meisner is a former staff member, and Rep, Levin was proud to join Andy and say a few words about Andy’s talented dedication to effective public service.

Oakland Healthcare Roundtable - July 1, 2009

On July 1, 2009, Congressman Levin held a healthcare roundtable at Providence Hospital in Southfield. Congressman Levin provided an update on the status of healthcare reform efforts in Congress. During the roundtable, Rep. Levin spoke about the Healthcare Improvements for Generating High Performance Act (or HIGH Performance Act), which will build on Michigan’s success helping hospitals implement best practices in health care.

Over the holiday week Congressman Levin had the opportunity to attend many of the festivals taking place around the 12th District. He was able to attend the Mount Clemens Stars and Stripes Festival, the Madison Heights Fireworks Festival and the Center Line Picnic and Fireworks. At each of these events the Rep. Levin had the opportunity to speak with constituents on issues important to them.

Hazel Park Community Resource Fair, June 30, 2009

On June 30, 2009, Congressman Levin held a Community Resource Fair for the residents of Hazel Park. Experts from various agencies such as Michigan Works!, Oakland County Housing, Social Security and the IRS were present and ready to provide residents useful information. Rep. Levin will be holding several of these events throughout the 12th Congressional District in the upcoming months.

Michigan Works! Event at Beaumont Hospital - June 30, 2009

On June 30, 2009, Congressman Levin had the opportunity to visit Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak to see a summer job training program funded by the Recovery Act. This training program is for youth ages 16-24 and provides work experience in various fields like healthcare. Rep. Levin joined the students as they worked and heard from graduates of the training program who are now pursuing healthcare careers.

TACOM Groundbreaking- May 18, 2009

On May 18, 2009, Congressman Levin participated in the groundbreaking ceremony at the TACOM Headquarters in Warren. TACOM will be building new structures on the Detroit Arsenal, which will further their ability to serve the military and add local jobs. The expansion will include a multi-story, 230,340 square foot administration building and a 583,750 square foot parking structure.

Warren Tour with Dr. Ed Montgomery – May 8, 2009

On May 8, 2009, Congressman Levin and other local leaders met with Dr. Ed Montgomery, President Obama’s Director of Recovery for Auto Communities and Workers, in Warren to hear from local officials and workers on the best solutions for Michigan’s economic recovery. Congressman Levin had the opportunity to discuss with Dr. Montgomery ways to ensure that the full resources of the federal government are getting to the workers, the families, and communities in Michigan.

Healthcare Roundtable May 26, 2009

On May 26, 2009 Congressman Levin held a Healthcare Roundtable at the Madison Heights City Fire Department. This roundtable consisted of 80 participants and gave Rep. Levin the opportunity to connect with Michigan residents on healthcare reform and issues of concern to them. For information on Rep. Levin’s next healthcare roundtable, please visit the Health Hub.

Macomb County Courthouse May 28, 2009

On May 28, 2009, Congressman Levin visited the Macomb County Courthouse where he received a first-hand look at how the new juror pager program will benefit jurors and downtown Mt. Clemens. Residents called for jury duty will be assigned pagers and be able to shop or eat downtown while they wait.. After passing out pagers, Rep. Levin, walked over to Conga Tea and Coffee and joined a juror there buying a coffee. Many jurors were sitting on benches reading and just enjoying the outdoors.

Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh proposed this innovation in 2007 and local businesses helped to raise the money to make it a reality. Because typical, restaurant-style pagers encountered "dead spots" in the downtown area during a trial run, the plan required a stronger signal and a radio tower atop the old County Building which the group inspected on the roof. The change required approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the Canadian version of the FCC, Industry Canada. Rep. Levin’s office helped to secure the necessary approvals.

March 2009

During the month of March, Congressman Levin invited Middle and High School students throughout the 12th Congressional District to participate in a special essay competition in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Certificates of special congressional recognition were awarded to all participants who submitted an essay. A panel of judges, active members of the 12th Congressional District community, selected one essay from each grade level to be featured on this website. Each winner also received an autographed “Women in Congress” book.

Click on the following links to view the winning essays:

Students were asked to identify a woman in Michigan’s history that inspires them. Students were welcome to write on a historical figure, a contemporary figure or someone in their own families.