[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 12300] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VILLAGE OF BEVERLY HILLS, MICHIGAN ______ HON. JOE KNOLLENBERG of michigan in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Mr. KNOLLENBERG. Madam Speaker, I want to recognize the Village of Beverly Hills, in Oakland County, Michigan, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary on June 14, 2008. The village's tree-lined streets and well-planned community live up to its reputation as a lovely place to live. The Village of Beverly Hills can be traced back to 1830. A thirty-six square mile area from present day 8 Mile to 14 Mile Roads and from Greenfield to Inkster Roads was organized as Ossewa Township on July 12, 1830. Seventeen days later, Ossewa Township was renamed to Southfield Township. Throughout the 1800's and the early 1900's, the area was primarily farmland, with sawmills, gristmills, and cider mills dotting the landscape. In the 1920's, a subdivision called Beverly Hills was developed on Birchwood and Kirkshire Streets, and was quickly populated through the 1950's. Beginning in 1953, Southfield Township slowly broke apart with the incorporation of Lathrup Village, Franklin, and Bingham Farms. When the City of Southfield was incorporated in 1957, the residents of what is now Beverly Hills felt the need for more home rule and local control. On September 23, 1957, the Village of Westwood was incorporated, and in March 1958, the village adopted the more popular name Beverly Hills. Today Beverly Hills is the largest Home Rule Village in Michigan, with a statewide reputation as a leader in municipal management and fiscal stability. The Village also has the distinction of being one of the safest communities in Michigan, due in large part to the efforts of their Department of Public Safety, police and fire departments, and emergency medical services. Madam Speaker, Beverly Hills is a forward thinking community aimed at improving the already sterling quality of life that their residents expect. I congratulate them on their 50th anniversary and wish the residents many more years of prosperity. ____________________