[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 42 (Tuesday, April 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ESSEX MARINA 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ROB SIMMONS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2005

  Mr. SIMMONS. Mr. Speaker, on April 2005, a milestone was reached by 
one of eastern Connecticut's finest waterfront establishments when 
Essex Island Marina celebrated its 50th anniversary.
  A half century ago Louis Schieferdecker, the son of a German 
immigrant, made a small investment that would end up becoming an 
eastern Connecticut institution. Mr. Schieferdecker bought Essex Island 
in 1955 and created a tradition of service and a successful business 
that his family owns and operates today. Essex Island Marina began as a 
boat yard with several slips; today it is one of southeastern 
Connecticut's most picturesque places. Lou Schieferdecker had a dream 
and he pursued it with a positive attitude and a determination to make 
it work.
  During the first 10 years of operation the marina added to its 
services and amenities and also increased the number of docks. The 
family installed a swimming pool, built the deck and added game rooms, 
a snack bar and a convenience store.
  But for the Schieferdecker family the most important part of the 
marina is not the dock or any of the amenities or services they 
provide; it's the people who come and enjoy the experience. In the 
words of the family, ``Today we see it when the grown children of past 
guests bring their children to share the experience. In the last 49 
years a 13 acre island has been transformed from a place to `dock your 
boat' to a place where memories are made.''
  Boaters have responded to the beautiful facility. In 2004 the readers 
of ``Offshore Magazine'' named Essex Island Marina the second ``Most 
Welcoming Destination'' in the entire northeast and voted it number one 
in the northeast in the ``Favorite Marina For A Weekend'' category.
  Building a successful business and generating the kind of loyalty and 
appreciation expressed by the readers of ``Offshore Magazine'' are not 
the result of being lucky. It's the result of working long hours to 
achieve a dream and always maintaining a commitment to do nothing less 
than your best. For 50 years the Schieferdecker family has been devoted 
to the boating public and the boating public has returned that 
dedication to the Schieferdeckers and Essex Island Marina. I 
congratulate this hard working family and Essex Island Marina for the 
first 50 years and I am delighted that they are part of our eastern 
Connecticut family.

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