[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 115 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            C. KEVIN DYKEMA: CHARTING A COURSE FOR BAY CITY

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                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 6, 2001

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate my 
close friend, Bay City Times Publisher C. Kevin Dykema, for the 
instrumental role he played in bringing the extraordinarily successful 
Tall Ships Celebration 2001 to my hometown of Bay City, Michigan, and 
for his leadership in organizing the Maritime Festival that welcomed 
the vessels to our community.
  As chairman of the Board of Directors of Bay City's Tall Ships 
Celebration, Kevin spent incalculable hours at the helm to steer a 
course for an event that has left residents of Bay City swelling with 
pride. Kevin deserves our highest praise and gratitude for his vision, 
hard work and dedication. The impact of his efforts will be felt for 
many years as permanent residents and visitors from all points on the 
map sing the praises of Bay City, Michigan, and list the celebration as 
yet another example of the city's welcoming attitude.
  A long-time sailing enthusiast, Kevin turned his love for the water 
and his interest in maritime history into an economic windfall for the 
area when he initiated and fulfilled a plan to bring the Appledore 
schooner to Bay City as a permanent attraction and educational tool for 
students and adults to learn more about the unique environment of the 
Saginaw Bay. A co-founder of BaySail, Inc., the non-profit organization 
that oversees the Appledore, Kevin has been an enthusiastic and 
energetic booster of historical sailing ships. While the opportunity to 
lure the Tall Ships challenge to Bay City was certainly a labor of love 
for Kevin, he could not have anticipated the massive team effort or the 
extraordinary time commitment required. Yet, he pulled it all off with 
flying colors.
  Such endeavors are nothing new for Kevin. He has been a vital and 
visible force in the community since first coming to town in 1991. His 
involvement in a wide-ranging number of service organizations and his 
willingness to step up to the plate to lead various volunteer efforts 
have served our community well. Of course, such involvement cannot 
occur without the support of family and Kevin has been fortunate to 
have the encouragement of his wife, Betsy, and children, Pete and Jane.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting Kevin Dykema 
for his quiet yet firm hand in navigating Bay County, Michigan, on an 
unalterable course that will lead to further economic prosperity and 
perpetuation of the city's reputation as a welcome port-of-call for 
friends and visitors alike.

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