[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      MARQUETTE RANKS IN TOP 30 ``AMERICA'S MOST LIVABLE CITIES''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the good work of the 
local leaders in the county of Marquette, Michigan who have worked to 
make this First District community a great place to live. As a result 
of that hard work, Marquette County, located on the shores of Lake 
Superior, earlier today was named one of the ``America's Most Livable 
Communities,'' in the annual ranking by the Partners for Livable 
Communities, a national nonprofit whose prestigious list is published 
in USA Today.
  The county of Marquette has been through soiree challenging times 
over the years. That includes its efforts to recover from the closure 
of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base a decade ago that resulted in the loss of 
more than 1,000 civilian jobs as well as its work to keep its mining 
industry strong and competitive in the 21st Century.
  But in recent years, the community of business leaders, government, 
clergy and education, through many task forces like the Lake Superior 
Community Partnership, have come together to move forward and develop 
innovative ways to strengthen this region.
  The community boasts a state-of-the-art regional medical center in 
Marquette General Hospital. Marquette is also home to Northern Michigan 
University and its U.S. Olympic Education Center.
  In addition, these partnerships have created new incentives to bring 
business to the area and it has provided them and residents with 
broadband services to ensure this smaller community can compete with 
its urban neighbors.
  Marquette County is home to eight museums, an arts and cultural 
center, a symphony and provides four seasons of recreational 
opportunities, with some of the best mountain biking and cross-country 
ski trails in the country.
  I would also like to note that Marquette County was named one of the 
10 ``All-America Cities'' in 2003 by the National Civic League.
  But probably most important of all, Marquette has an active and 
strong base of community leaders and volunteers who have worked 
together to make this county a great place to live. Some of those 
individuals were here in Washington D.C. to attend the special 
ceremony. They include: Monsignor Cappo of St. Peter's Cathedral, 
Marquette County Commissioner Bill Nordeen, Doreen Takalo, chair of the 
Marquette County Township Association, Karen Anderson of K.I. Sawyer, 
Bob Racia of Marquette General Hospital, Bill and Sue Rigby of Northern 
Michigan University, Marquette City Manager Gerald Peterson, Marquette 
Mayor Jerry Irby, Ishpeming Mayor Gary Nelson, John Mommarts of the 
Noquemanon Trail, Liz Smith of Project W.E.A.V.E. and Steward Harrison 
of Telkite.
  Mr. Speaker, Marquette County has more than earned this great honor.

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