[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 108 (Thursday, September 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1481-E1482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MICHAEL McCLIMON, DIRECTOR OF THE PACIFIC LUMBER COMPANY'S 
                              SCOTIA BAND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2000

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
man who has dedicated his life to serving his community through music. 
Today I join members of Humboldt County, California in honoring Michael 
McClimon and celebrating his twenty-fifth anniversary as Director of 
the Scotia Band.
  The Scotia Band has been an active part of the Humboldt County 
Community for sixty-five years. Rehearsing nearly every Monday evening, 
each member of the band is highly dedicated to the musical service that 
is the band's legacy. For the last quarter century, Mr. McClimon has 
been the devoted leader of this band.
  Long an active participant in the musical community, Mr. McClimon's 
role as Director of the Scotia Band began on September 17, 1975. Mr. 
McClimon has logged over 1,200 rehearsals as Director of the band. To 
deepen the members' understanding of the compositions, Mr. McClimon 
often shares anecdotal or historical stories about the pieces being

[[Page E1482]]

played or their composers. As a result, the musicians' appreciation for 
the music is heightened and their performances are elevated to new 
levels.
  Mr. McClimon has led the Scotia Band in performances at a variety of 
community functions throughout Humboldt County in the last twenty-five 
years. Some of these events include the Humboldt County Fair, the Rio 
Dell Little League Parade, the Fortuna Bicentennial, the Ferndale 
Repertory Theater, high school graduation ceremonies, and memorial 
services for civic leaders. The band is clearly a visible presence in 
all aspects of social life in Humboldt County.
  As Director of the Scotia Band, Mr. McClimon has maintained its 
tradition of excellence in musical service. He is a patient and gifted 
teacher while continuously holding the band members to high standards. 
Mr. McClimon personifies an excerpt from the 50th Anniversary 
celebration of the Scotia Band in 1985: ``For 50 years the Scotia Band 
has served Humboldt County communities. This spirit of dedicated public 
service enriches all those whose lives are touched. The band symbolizes 
the ideals and traditions that have made America great.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Michael 
McClimon, for he, too, symbolizes the ideals and traditions that have 
made America great. He deserves to be honored today, for he has 
tirelessly and unselfishly served the members of the Scotia Band and 
the citizens of Humboldt County for twenty-five years.

                          ____________________