[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 139 (Tuesday, October 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1896]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY; REALTOR ASSOCIATION OF BAY COUNTY

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                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 1, 1996

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, honesty and integrity are elusive 
commodities in today's business world but are ever present in our hard-
working realtors. Over the years I have had the privilege of working 
with many real estate agents, chief among them the very professional 
members of the Realtor Association of Bay County. I rise today to pay 
tribute to this association that, for half a century, has been 
dedicated to promoting ethics and caring in the business world. On 
October 19, at the Consistory Cathedral in Bay City, the Realtor 
Association will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
  First chartered on July 9, 1946, the Realtor Association of Bay 
County is a professional association of real estate brokers and their 
agents. Originally created not only to protect and promote private 
ownership of real property, and establish professional standards of 
practice, the association has remained true to its original goals while 
expanding outreach into the community.
  Through the years, the association has actively monitored State and 
Federal legislation regarding private property rights and has provided 
educational programs, keeping members informed on the numerous changes 
in the laws and creating forms necessary to comply with them. One such 
service, created in 1962 and computerized in 1972, is the Multiple 
Listing Service which assists members in their endeavor to list and 
sell properties for their clients and customers.
  The Realtor Association of Bay County is a member of the world's 
largest trade association, the National Association of Realtors, which 
consists of over 750,000 members and the Michigan Association of 
Realtors, which consists of over 25,000 members.
  With a membership that has grown to over 300, the association is 
involved in 12 diverse community service projects. Groups such as 
Junior Achievement, American Home Week, Women's Center, and Safety 
Through songs for Kindergartners have all benefited from their 
relationship with the Realtors Association.
  Mr. Speaker, realtors adhere to a strict code of ethics and level of 
professional conduct that benefit us all. Couple that with their 
dedicated involvement to the community and you have an organization 
which exemplifies the professionalism and caring to which all business 
and business associations should aspire. Please join me in 
congratulating the Realtor Association of Bay County on its 50th 
anniversary, with best wishes for many more.

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