house resolution no.149
Reps. Steenland, Aiyash, Bezotte, Brabec, Breen, Brixie, Tyrone Carter, Cavanagh, Ellison, Haadsma, Hood, Jones, Kuppa, Morse, Pohutsky, Rabhi, Sabo, Shannon, Sneller, Sowerby, Stone, Weiss, Witwer and Young offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Since the 1880s, tens of thousands of Macedonians fled geographic Macedonia to the United States seeking civil liberties, human rights, religious freedom, and economic opportunities in response to the 1903 Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire, the 1912-13 Balkan Wars, the two World Wars, the Greek Civil War, and communist Yugoslavian policies; and
Whereas, Currently the Macedonian community in Michigan is a vibrant one that is embedded within the American mosaic partaking in all walks of life, business, medicine, law, technology, civic engagement, government, the military, education, journalism, the arts, culinary world, athletics, and more; and
Whereas, The United Macedonian Diaspora estimates there are over 125,000 Americans of Macedonian heritage living in the Great Lakes State; and
Whereas, Michigan is home to the largest community of Macedonian language speakers in the United States, according to the U.S. Census; and
Whereas, Michigan benefits from our hard working and passionate Macedonian American community members who, over several generations, have taken risks, chartered new frontiers, and opened businesses in a wide array of sectors including sports, retail, food and drink, financial, construction, health services, and textiles; and
Whereas, The Macedonian Americans in Michigan own businesses that collectively employ thousands of Michigan residents and serve as the backbone of Michigan’s economy and the path to financial freedom; and
Whereas, Prominent Macedonian Americans in Detroit founded Little Caesars Pizza in 1959 and grew it into the third-largest pizza chain in the world and revitalized the city of Detroit putting it on the global map, through their ownership of the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, renovation of Fox Theater, Little Caesars Arena and District Detroit; and played a significant role in the civil rights movement and paid for activist Rosa Parks’ rent in Detroit for over a decade; and
Whereas, Prominent Macedonian Americans made Michigan history by giving Detroit’s Wayne State University nearly $50 million, the school’s largest donation ever; and under the leadership of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. and Ilitch Charities, over $220 million from youth development to community revitalization philanthropic grants since 2000 in Michigan; and
Whereas, Four of the eight women's names ever engraved on the Stanley Cup are Michigander Macedonian Americans Marian Ilitch (1997, 1998), Denise Ilitch (1997, 1998), Lisa Ilitch (1997, 1998), and Carole Ilitch Trepeck (1997, 1998) all with the Detroit Red Wings; and ; and
Whereas, Macedonian immigrants established their own version of the famous Coney Island hot dog in the early 1900s, which remains a staple dish at Coney Island restaurants throughout Michigan; and
Whereas, Michigan’s Macedonian Americans have tremendously contributed to American athletics and professional sports including a former professional football player born in Dearborn Heights who played for the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, and St. Louis Rams; and finished his career in the top 35 in NFL history in all kicking categories; and
Whereas, Sterling Heights, Michigan is home to the headquarters of the American-Canadian Macedonian Orthodox Diocese, under the current auspices of His Grace Metropolitan Metodi; and
Whereas, Michigan is home to several Macedonian Orthodox Churches, and Orthodox Churches and Monasteries built by Macedonian Americans; and
Whereas, The Macedonian American Student Association was formed at numerous universities including Oakland University, Wayne State University, University of Michigan Ann-Arbor and Dearborn, Michigan State University, and Eastern Michigan University; and
Whereas, This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Congressional Caucus on Macedonia and Macedonian-Americans, founded by former Congresswoman Candice S. Miller, and currently co-chaired by Michigan Congresswomen Debbie Dingell and Lisa McClain; and
Whereas, This year is significant for Macedonian Americans because September 8, 2021, marks the 30th anniversary of the independence of the Macedonian Republic; and
Whereas, The incredible contributions and heritage of Macedonian Americans have helped us build a better Michigan: now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 2021 as Macedonian American Heritage Month in the state of Michigan. We express warm congratulations and best wishes to all Macedonian people around the world as they mark Macedonian Independence Day and recognize the integral role of Macedonian Americans in the economy, culture, and identity of Michigan. We urge the people of Michigan to observe Macedonian American Heritage Month with appropriate programs and activities that celebrate the contributions of Macedonian Americans to Michigan; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be presented to the Office of the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.