George Weeks

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George Weeks

CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE ON THE RETIREMENT OF COLUMNIST GEORGE WEEKS

______

HON. BART STUPAK

of michigan

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, February 8, 2006

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a journalistic legend and a valued Michigan native, columnist Mr. George Weeks. This long time newsman, acclaimed author and Michigan historian has epitomized the ability to provoke thought and challenge ideology through his interviews and written works.

Born in 1932 in Traverse City, Michigan, a city I proudly represented for 8 of my 14 years in Congress, Mr. Weeks was exposed to the beauty of northern Michigan and the values of rural America. After graduating from Traverse City High School in 1950, Mr. Weeks attended and graduated from Michigan State University (MSU). He spent 18 months as an Army officer before beginning his lengthy career in journalism and politics.

His career in news began in 1954 when he took a job as the Lansing staff correspondent for United Press International (UPI). In the 14 years he spent with UPI, he also served as the Detroit Bureau radio and news editor, Lansing Bureau chief, diplomatic correspondent, and Washington foreign editor. While in Washington DC, Mr. Weeks became a member of the White House Correspondents Association, the State Department Correspondents Association and Overseas Writers. His coverage abroad took him to the former Soviet Union, Africa, Europe, Latin America and Asia.

The time he spent covering politics in Michigan and beyond placed him among the prestigious Who's Who in America list and served as valuable knowledge as he transitioned to Press Secretary for Michigan Governor William G. Miliken. After beginning with Governor Miliken in 1969, Mr. Weeks went on to serve as a member of the Governor's special council and then as his chief of staff.

The opportunity to work in the Miliken administration would serve as a foundation later for one of his greatest literary works. In the meantime, Mr. Weeks went on to be a Kennedy Fellow in 1981 attending Harvard University Institute of Politics. His research led him to conduct a study and subsequently write a published paper on outstanding governors of the 20th century.

Mr. Weeks then found his way back to his home state of Michigan when he took a job as the political columnist for the Detroit News in 1983. His written works on topics ranging from public affairs to political developments earned him the Outstanding Alumni Award of MSU's College of Communications Arts.

In his limited time, Mr. Weeks wrote several books on a range of topics close to his heart. These literary works included: Stewards of the State: The Governors of Michigan (1987; revised 1991), which won the Michigan Small Press ``Book of the Year Award'' and the achievement award from the Greater Michigan Foundation; Sleeping Bear: Its Lore, Legends and First People (1988; fifth printing in 2000); Sleeping Bear: Yesterday and Today (1990; expanded edition 2005) and MEM-KA-WEH: Dawning of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (1992). He also co-authored The Miliken Years; A Pictorial Reflection (1988) and A Handbook of African Affairs (1964) and also contributed to Michigan: Visions of our Past (1987) and The Royal Cookbook (1969).

As if writing a column as a foremost expert on politics in the state of Michigan or authoring a number of books as a foremost expert on the history of our fascinating state weren't enough, Mr. Weeks also invested time in organizations committed to causes he cherishes. Mr. Weeks has served on the Board of Directors for the Clarke Historical Library at Central Michigan University, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Advisory Council, and on the planning committee for the annual observance of Michigan Week. Michigan Week, started by his father Don Weeks, is an event aimed at promoting pride throughout the state.

Mr. Speaker, George Weeks and his wife Mollie, have also raised two wonderful children, Julie and Don, along their exciting and unique journey thus far in life. Now residing in Glen Arbor, Michigan, I understand that he plans to continue his writing by imparting his wisdom and knowledge through columns in small hometown papers in northern Michigan. It also seems fitting that he plans to do what George does best by turning his endless quest for knowledge on issues he's passionate about into written works that serve as learning tools for others.

Today, I join a long list of individuals, including the Michigan Congressional Delegation, who have had the opportunity to work with, learn from or even know Mr. George Weeks in saying ``Thank You''. Many of us have been on the other end of the phone line with George waiting to see if his modest voice would invite a robust conversation about topics in which we shared alike thoughts or if he would ask a question that required careful and considerate thought in answering. Whether you have agreed with him or not on a topic he wrote, you respected his integrity and his ability to be fair in cracking though rhetoric to the truth of the matter.

Mr. Speaker, I ask the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mr. George Weeks for his commitment to the value of a profession that has often been equated to the fourth branch of government, for his dedication to fair and balanced reporting, for the integrity he brings to this sometimes volatile political world and for his deep, genuine appreciation for the great state of Michigan. Thank you, George!

I certainly wish George Weeks and his wife Mollie the best in retirement and I look forward to our future conversations.