[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 24 (Tuesday, March 7, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JEFF CLEVENGER

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to remember Jeff 
Clevenger, a dear friend who died on December 21, 1999. The illness 
which led to his death came suddenly and Jeff was taken from us all too 
soon.
  Jeff Clevenger was a great American in that he gave everything of 
himself to make his community and this country great. He contributed to 
our economy as Vice President and General Manager of the Wickes Machine 
Tool Group, Inc., in Saginaw, Michigan. In 1983 he led a team of 
managers in the buyout of the machine tool group from Wickes. The new 
company was named SMS Group, Inc. From the formation of this new 
company until his death, Jeff served as President, Chairman, and Chief 
Executive Officer of SMS Group, Inc.
  Jeff contributed to his community unselfishly. And he was not 
satisfied to simply be a member of a club or board. In nearly every 
organization he joined, at some point, Jeff served as chairman. These 
organizations include: the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce; the Michigan 
State Chamber of Commerce; the Michigan Manufacturers Association; 
Saginaw Remanufacturing; Junior Achievement; the Government Relations 
Committee of the Association for Manufacturing Technology; United Way 
of Saginaw County; the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Association. 
In 1994 he became the founding Chairman of the United Way Alexis de 
Toqueville Society in Saginaw County. Jeff also served as a board 
member for Saginaw Future, Inc., and the Delta College Foundation. He 
also devoted his time to Saginaw Valley State University.
  Jeff's dedication to his community did not go unnoticed. He has 
received a number of honors. He was given the ``Spirit of Saginaw'' 
award; the ``Entrepreneur of the Year'' award; the Junior Achievement 
Hall of Fame Award; the Robert H. Albert Award for Community Service 
from the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce; to name a few.
  The State of Michigan is a better place because we were lucky enough 
to have Jeff Clevenger as part of our community. Even those who did not 
know Jeff will benefit for many years from his dedication to his 
community. And to those who did know him, myself included, Jeff's life 
will forever serve as an inspiration.
  I would like at this time, on behalf of the United States Senate, to 
extend my sympathies to Jeff's family: Nell Clevenger, Lori Himes, 
Robin Vosen, Allana Clevenger, Angela Jennings, and Bradley Weaver. 
Your loss is shared by many.

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