[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO THE COUNTY OF MARQUETTE ON RECEIVING THE ALL-AMERICAN CITY 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2003

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, perhaps you know of my fondness for spending 
as much time as possible in my First Congressional District of 
Michigan, which I can, without any bias whatsoever, say is the most 
beautiful in the nation.
  I rise today to give special recognition to one community in my -
district, Marquette, which lies on the southern shore of Lake Superior 
in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
  On June 14, 2003, Marquette County was selected as one of ten 
communities in the United States to receive an All-America City 
designation from the National Civic League at a ceremony in Washington, 
D.C.
  The National Civic League has been recognizing civic excellence for 
53 years and evaluates how well a community exemplifies grass roots 
citizen involvement and cross-sector problem solving requiring 
collaboration among citizens, government, business and nonprofit 
organizations.
  Marquette County was one of thirty candidates who sent hundreds of 
delegates to Washington to compete in hearings before ten All-America 
City judges. Forty of those delegates represented Marquette.
  While Marquette County is not technically a city, its civic programs 
and civic efforts are not limited by city-county boundaries. The 
collaboration that was so important to Marquette's success in the All-
America City competition is county wide.
  In addition to a well organized substantive presentation, the 
Marquette delegation also included the Lake Superior Theatre 
Association which presented dramatic vignettes of cultural life in 
current day Marquette and Marquette history. The delegation also 
serenaded the judges, impressing them with enthusiasm and harmony, 
literally and as a demonstration of the harmonious civic cooperation 
that was recognized in their selection.
  The judges noted that Marquette County's presentation contained more 
substance than hype, according to Marquette Mining Journal managing 
editor David Edwards. They cited programs such as the Marquette Medical 
Care Access Coalition and juvenile restorative justice efforts in 
announcing their decision.
  Marquette's efforts were spear-headed by the Lake Superior Community 
Partnership, whose chairman, Monsignor Louis Cappo accepted the award 
in front of a cheering crowd.
  Mr. Speaker, this award shows how strong Marquette County's civic 
spirit is. The true measure of community is not necessarily coffee 
bars, good restaurants and well lit streets, although Marquette has all 
of those. Nor is it natural beauty and a close connection between 
people and their environment, although Marquette has that in huge 
measure.
  Rather, the best example of true community is shown by Marquette 
County's programs that help people live happy, productive and engaged 
lives, supported by and supporting their neighbors. Marquette County's 
richness in these efforts made it possible for this small, thinly 
populated piece of God's Country to be named an All-America City in its 
very first attempt.
  I have co-sponsored a House Concurrent Resolution congratulating 
Marquette County and all ten of the All-America cities for their 
efforts and successes. It is a small token of recognition for a very 
large effort. All of Marquette County should be proud.
  I certainly am. I ask that my House colleagues join me in extending 
congratulations to Marquette County, a 2003 All-America City.

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