[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 2 (Thursday, January 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                MILTON BERGERON, A MAN OF HEART AND SOIL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Milton 
Bergeron, who successfully combined teaching and conservation 
practices, his two passions, to make an important impact on the 
conservation efforts in Arenac County.
  Milton is retiring from the Arenac Soil Conservation District Board 
after serving for 13 terms or 39 years. Elected to the Arenac Soil 
Conservation District Board in 1958, Milton has held the position of 
chairman, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer. While serving on the 
board, he taught and shared his knowledge of conservation with farmers, 
students, and teachers.
  Born in Sterling, MI, Milton began his career in Holly, MI. he moved 
to Clintonville where he taught at School House Lake before becoming 
the principal of Waterford. He enjoyed teaching and working with young 
people, but his real love was farming. He bought his first 40 acre 
parcel and never stopped teaching, by sharing with other farmers 
conservation practices, he utilized in his own farming operation.
  He founded an education program for the Arenac Conservation Board to 
help young people understand the importance of preserving high quality 
water and soil. Meeting with several teachers in the area, they started 
programs such as the annual poster contest now in its 30th year, the 
annual Arbor Day celebrations and taking fifth graders on an annual 
tour since the early 1970's.
  Milton's dual passion for education and conservation fueled him to 
work with local teachers and the Department of Agriculture to sponsor a 
soil judging contest for high school students. Also wanting to 
recognize the teachers who were promoting conservation efforts in their 
classrooms, Milton presented a teacher of the year award at the 
district's annual meeting. Although Milton will continue to farm part 
time and participate in 4-H, church and community service.
  Milton could not have been such an integral part of educating and 
promoting conservation efforts without the support of his wife, Lela, 
who he married in 1940 and his son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Mary 
Bergeron and his daughter and son-in-law, Ronella and Ron Berlinski.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can see, Milton is a leader in his field--
educating people of all ages on the importance of conservation efforts. 
His generous contributions over the years should be applauded and I 
commend Milton Bergeron for his many accomplishments.

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