IN RECOGNITION OF PETER J. MURDOCK'S LIFE AND LEGACY

Topics:  Peter Murdock

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
Congressional Record: 116th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
6 June 2019

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL-

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 2019

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Peter J. 
Murdock's lifetime of service. Mr. Murdock passed away on May 4, 2019 
which greatly saddened our community. His lifetime of service to the 
Ypsilanti community is worthy of commendation.
  Mr. Murdock was a fixture of the Ypsilanti community. He moved to 
Ypsilanti, Michigan from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts in the 
1960s. Immediately after arriving, he became involved with the 
Ypsilanti Tenants' Union. He was employed at Motor Wheel and the Ford 
Rawsonville plant and was a key member of the local UAW chapter. For 
the remainder of his career, Mr. Murdock worked with the Ypsilanti 
Recycling Project and Recycle Ann Arbor. Mr. Murdock was elected to the 
Ypsilanti City Council from 1978 to 1982 and became the Mayor of the 
City of Ypsilanti in 1982 where he served for three consecutive terms. 
After his tenure as Mayor, he returned to the Ypsilanti City Council 
from 1991 until 1993, and from 2008 until his passing. During that 
time, he attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated with a 
Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1996.
  Mr. Murdock and his wife Grace Sweeney were dedicated to historical 
preservation, founding the Ypsilanti East Side Neighborhood Association 
and supporting the revitalization of Depot Town. He was a champion for 
the environment, supporting solar power, crafting plans for city-wide 
recycling, invigorating community parks, and promoting sustainability. 
During his over 25-year tenure in Ypsilanti government he implemented 
policies that have positively affected the lives of all Ypsilanti 
residents.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the legacy 
of Peter J. Murdock and his lifetime of service. We are truly grateful 
for his numerous contributions to the Ypsilanti community and to the 
County of Washtenaw. He will be dearly missed.