[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2183-E2184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRESSIONAL TRIBUTE TO JOHN T. LEWINSKI

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding local official in Michigan's First Congressional District. 
John T. Lewinski will be leaving the Gogebic County Board of 
Commissioners in January after 18 years of service. His years of work 
on behalf of his community represent the very best of Northern 
Michigan.
  Mr. Lewinski's dedication to service should not surprise us though. 
As a member of the Greatest Generation, he joined the Navy during World 
War II, and served in the Pacific as a Navy Seabee in Guam. Like so 
many of his generation, John Lewinski returned home and worked to 
improve the country he risked his life to protect.
  From 1966 to 1983, Mr. Lewinski was a forester's aide with the 
Gogebic County Forestry Department, working to preserve the Upper 
Peninsula's treasured forests. In January 1987, he joined the Gogebic 
County Board of Commissioners for the first time.
  Since then, John Lewinski has served as chairman of the Gogebic 
County Board of Commissioners, chairman of the Airport Board, chairman 
of the Gogebic County Transit Board, chairman of the Community Mental

[[Page E2184]]

Health Board, chairman of Western U.P. Substance Abuse, a board member 
of the Community Action Agency, and in 2002, as the chairman of the 
Upper Peninsula Association of County Commissioners.
  Mr. Speaker, John T. Lewinski has had an extraordinary career of 
service to his community and to our Nation, and I am sure that he will 
continue his work even after he steps down as a county commissioner. I 
know that his wife of more than 50 years, Patricia, his three children 
and five grandchildren are very proud of him, and they should be.
  John Lewinski's commitment to his family and his community serves as 
an example to all of us. I ask the U.S. House of Representatives to 
join me in honoring him, and thanking him for his service.

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