The Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber will team with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Feb. 28 for a special Legislative Forum at Crystal Gardens in Southgate.
The speaker will be U.S. Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-13th District), who unseated longtime incumbent Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in last summer’s primary elections.
The U.S. Chamber has been teaming with local chambers of commerce throughout the country for a series of Freshman Forums and will co-present the Feb. 28 session with the SWCRC.
SWCRC President Sandy Mull said the format would be the same as usual, but will include an appearance by a U.S. Chamber representative who will speak briefly about that organization’s current legislative priorities.
“We’re very pleased to partner with the U.S. Chamber on this Freshman Forum, and look forward to hearing from Representative Clarke two months into his first term in Congress,” Mull said.
Clarke, a native Detroiter, has been appointed to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. He also was elected by his peers to serve as the vice president of the House freshman class. He formerly served in both the Michigan House and Senate.
The 13th District encompasses the cities of Ecorse, Lincoln Park, River Rouge and Wyandotte, as well as part of Detroit, Harper Woods and the Grosse Pointe communities.
Cost to attend the SWCRC Forum is $15 a person. Registration opens at 11 a.m. and lunch follows at 11:30 a.m. The program will begin at noon and conclude by 1 p.m.
Advance registration is requested by calling the chamber office at (734) 284-6000. Businesses and individuals interested in being a sponsor for this Legislative Forum or future chamber forums can contact forum coordinator Mary Jarosz at (734) 479-0156 to obtain the details. Sponsors receive promotional benefits and also are able to participate in a preforum reception with the guest speaker.
Local high school students also are invited to attend the Legislative Forum. To sponsor a high school students’ table call the chamber at (734) 284-6000.
Crystal Gardens is at 16703 Fort St., just north of Pennsylvania Road. Additional information on chamber membership and the group’s other activities can be obtained at www.swcrc.com.