[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 35 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E412-E413]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO PELKIE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL AND THE ORIGINAL SEVEN ONE-ROOM 
         COUNTRY SCHOOL HOUSES ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR REUNION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2004

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to call your attention and 
that of our House colleagues to a ceremony that will take place in the 
Upper Peninsula of Michigan on August 9, 2004. While the Baraga County 
Fair goes on, the Pelkie Agricultural School along with the original 
seven one-room country school houses of the Pelkie area, will be 
celebrating with all their alumni.
  In the NW corner of the Upper Peninsula there is the small town of 
Pelkie where a hidden treasure lay. The treasure built in 1932 is known 
as Pelkie Agricultural School, and is perhaps one of the oldest schools 
of its kind in Michigan or even in the United States still operating as 
an educational institution. The community looks forward to hosting the 
event and reuniting with old friends, teachers and classmates.
  The Pelkie area was originally settled by Finnish immigrants in the 
latter part of the nineteenth century and the early part of the 
twentieth century. As late as the mid-1970's one could walk into the 
local Co-op Store and hear the Finnish language spoken, or attend an 
area church service on Sunday conducted in the Finnish language. In the 
early years, seven one-room country school houses served the 
educational needs of the Pelkie area children, and then in 1932 the 
Pelkie Agricultural

[[Page E413]]

School was built to consolidate these schools. For the first ten years 
or so, Pelkie Agricultural School operated as a K-10 school with an 
agricultural focus. The concepts of agriculture (for boys) and home 
economics (for the girls) were articulated and integrated into all 
aspects of the curriculum.
  In the mid-1940's, the school began the first of many changes caused 
by declining enrollment and dwindling finances. The school first 
changed to a K-8 school and then eventually a K-6 school. As 
innovations and curriculum changes occurred in Michigan education, 
Baraga Township decided to implement a new and innovative concept. 
Eventually this lead to the designation of the school as a lower 
elementary building for the entire district. The elementary school is 
currently filled to capacity and wisely used by the district.
  When asked what role the school plays in the community, a local 
resident responded that the school was and continues to be the center 
of the community. It is the place for all community activities except 
church services. MSU Extension Study Clubs, 4-H Clubs, physical fitness 
programs, preschool programs, Agricultural Extension meetings, as well 
as the Baraga County fair are held there. Everyone has fond memories 
from their times at Pelkie Agricultural School and the community takes 
pride in doing everything they can to keep the school in good 
condition.
  Over the years, the school has provided many important needs for the 
community including educational programs for soldiers after WWII. The 
school received federal funding under the GI bill to offer educational 
services and training in agriculture to area men returning home after 
the war. Five teachers dedicated themselves to teaching night classes 
to returning GIs in efforts to help them become productive independent 
farmers on the land that their Finnish forefathers had cleared a 
generation earlier.
  The caliber of education offered at Pelkie Agricultural School is 
revealed through their many distinguished alumni. For forty-four years, 
Mrs. Ida Fitzpatrick, one of the school's teachers and its principal, 
directed the education of community youth. The school has produced many 
farmers, professors, traders, musicians, teachers, writers, and 
doctors. Among those we can cite as having attended Pelkie Agricultural 
School are Dr. LuAnne Ruona, psychiatrist and faculty member at George 
Washington University, Dr. Paul Niemisto, a professor and composer of 
music at St. Olaf's University, and Mr. Dan Maki, professor of History 
at Finlandia University. I am proud of their commitment to education 
and their contribution to their individual professions.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our House colleagues to join me in wishing 
the best to the people of Pelkie in celebrating 70 years of education 
at Pelkie Agricultural School and the seven original one-room country 
school houses. We also extend a hearty, ``Well Done!'' to the Reunion 
Planning Committee. I am sure that many former Pelkie residents will be 
drawn back home for this celebration, so that families may be reunited, 
old friendships renewed, and a remarkable quality of life rediscovered.

                          ____________________