[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E943-E944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   TRIBUTE TO JAMES F. HETTINGER FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS OF 
                          GREATER BATTLE CREEK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2001

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. James 
Hettinger for over 20 years of dedicated service to the citizens of 
greater Battle Creek, MI.
  Today, Thursday, May 24, 2001, the citizens of Battle Creek, MI will 
gather to pay tribute to a man who's efforts over the past twenty-three 
years led to the formation and expansion of one of the nation's premier 
industrial parks, and the economic rebirth of a community.
  As Chief Executive Officer of Battle Creek Unlimited, the marketing 
and economic development arm of the City of Battle Creek, Jim has 
served as an excellent ambassador for the community, touting the 
positive attributes of locating facilities in the Cereal City to 
businesses around the world. To date, his efforts have led to the 
decision by approximately two dozen international companies to locate 
in the Fort Custer Industrial Park, resulting in over 3,000 jobs.
  Jim has forged cooperative agreements with surrounding communities in 
an effort to spur economic growth beyond the boundaries of the city. He 
has been a driving force behind countless critical projects in the area 
including: the establishment of an inland U.S. Customs Port of Entry 
and Foreign Trade Zone 43; the retention of hundreds of jobs at the 
Battle Creek Federal Center; the relocation of the Western Michigan 
University College of Aviation to Battle Creek, and most recently, the 
forging of an innovative e-learning agreement with the Canadian 
province of New Brunswick.

[[Page E944]]

  Jim is among the most highly regarded economic development 
professionals in the country. And with good reason. He holds a Ph.D in 
Public Administration and Comparative Government and serves as an 
Adjunct Professor at Western Michigan University. He has published 
fifteen articles dealing with local government and economic development 
as well as a book on economic development and Japanese manufacturing 
investment. His work has been cited in numerous national publications 
including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, The New York Times 
and USA Today. He is a past recipient of the MI Economic Developer of 
the Year award and the Kiwanis International Person of the Year award, 
as well as being named to the Oxford Elite Registry of Extraordinary 
Professionals.
  I am honored to recognize Jim Hettinger for his tremendous dedication 
both to his profession and to his community, and join with the citizens 
of Battle Creek in congratulating him on this special day.