[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO FRED M. SAIGH IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MANY YEARS OF PUBLIC 
                                SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 17, 2002

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an 
institution in Iron County Michigan politics. I rise to honor Fred M. 
Saigh for his many years of public service to the people of Iron 
County.
  Born on August 21, 1920, Fred M. Saigh graduated from Iron River High 
School in 1938 before earning degrees at the University of Michigan and 
Michigan State University. Following his service in the United States 
Navy during World War II, Fred entered into his family's restaurant 
business in 1946. In 1954 he entered the insurance business as an agent 
for the New York Life Insurance Company.
  In 1957 he began a lengthy business relationship with First National 
Underwriters, first as an agent, then vice-president in 1964, and later 
chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer. He has 
also served as a director of the Iron River National Bank and the 
Michigan Financial Corporation.
  Fred M. Saigh began his political career in 1957 with his election as 
an Iron River City Commissioner. He served on the Iron River City 
Commission until 1968, including four terms as the mayor of Iron River.
  During Fred's years of service on the Iron River City Commission the 
board reorganized the city's financial structure and developed an 
industrial park.
  In 1965 Fred began a thirty-five year involvement with the Iron 
County Board of Commissioners, including nineteen years as chairman. 
Currently the vice chairman, he has been a member of the Iron County 
Board of Commissioners almost continuously except for a two year 
absence in the early 1980's.
  While on the Iron County Board of Commissioners the county developed: 
a tax equalization office, the Iron County Ambulance Service, the Iron 
County Economic Development Corporation, the Iron County General 
Hospital, the Iron County Medical Care Facility, and constructed a new 
grandstand at the Iron County Fairgrounds, among many other projects to 
better the lives of Iron County residents.
  Fred has served as a member of many public boards and commissions 
including but not limited to: the Western Upper Peninsula Manpower 
Consortium, the Dickinson-Iron Mental Health Board, the Dickinson-Iron 
Community Services Agency, the Iron County Economic Development 
Corporation.
  In addition to his political activities Fred has found time for 
membership in the Iron County Kiwanis Club, the Iron River Country 
Club, the Elks Lodge, the American Legion, the Fraternal Order of 
Eagles, and many other organizations.
  Fred and his wife, Lorraine, have raised six children: Terry, 
Barbara, F. Michael, Frederick III, Peter, and Mark. Lorraine has also 
dedicated her life to public service as an educator and school 
administrator in the West Iron County School District in Iron County.
  Mr. Speaker, Fred has gone above and beyond the call of duty as a 
public servant and his public spiritedness is an inspiration to 
citizens and elected officials alike. I ask you and my House colleagues 
to join me in saluting a personal friend of mine and a true friend of 
the people of Iron County, Fred M. Saigh, in recognition of his thirty 
five years as a member of the Iron County Michigan Board of 
Commissioners and his eleven years on the Iron River City Commission.

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