[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E941]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO DAVID J. ROBERTS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS 
                         MARQUETTE COUNTY CLERK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the work and 
achievements of David Roberts, who since 1986 has served the people of 
Marquette County, Michigan, as Marquette County Clerk.
  Dave Roberts is taking a well-earned retirement from public service 
after more than seventeen years of conscientious and devoted work for 
the people of Marquette County.
  Those of us in government office know that public officials at the 
local level are on the true front lines of government service. Even if 
the County Clerk is not the person who created a law, engineered a road 
fix or streamlined a County budget, he or she is the face that most 
members of the public know and turn to when they have questions, 
complaints or, less often, compliments. The County Clerk is also the 
person that other elected officials look to for answers about County 
government issues.
  Dave Roberts, as County Clerk has the lives of County residents in 
his keeping, in the form of public records such as birth, marriage, 
death and real estate filings. He acts as clerk of the County Board 
and, in Marquette County, as clerk of the circuit court.
  Dave held this hot seat in Marquette County government with great 
dedication, composure and his ever present sense of humor. He filled 
his Clerk's responsibilities in a highly capable fashion, always 
keeping at the forefront his concern for others. Dave's way of dealing 
with people, whether they came to the Clerk's office on the warpath, or 
with a simple question, will be a great example and legacy for his 
successor. He leaves big shoes to fill.
  Dave Roberts is a native of the Marquette area and graduated in 1965 
from Negaunee high school. He earned his bachelor's degree from 
Northern Michigan University in 1974 and then worked toward a master's 
degree in creative writing. He also worked for Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. 
for twelve years before being appointed County Clerk in 1985 following 
the retirement of previous clerk Henry A. Skewis.
  Dave served as president of the Michigan Association of County Clerks 
in 1995 and 1996. He was active in that association during his years as 
Marquette County Clerk, and in 2000 received the well-deserved honor of 
being named Michigan County Clerk of the Year by his fellow association 
members.
  Congratulations also are due to Dave's wife Patricia and their four 
children, Sheri, Debi, Andrew and Jessica, who have supported Dave in 
his work and at home over the years. Pat herself is a big part of the 
community and has been a corrections officer at the Marquette Branch 
Prison for 18 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Dave Roberts on his accomplishments and service as Marquette County 
Clerk, and to join me in wishing him great success in his writing, his 
travel, and even in improving his golf game--three things that he said 
he intends to spend some time on in retirement.
  I hope that Marquette County has not seen the last of his 
contributions to civic life as well.

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