[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1062]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAY VAN DEN BERG

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2005

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Jay Van Den 
Berg, a distinguished community leader in Southwest Michigan for the 
past 30 years. Today, leaders from throughout the community are 
gathering at Michigan Works, to honor Jay's accomplishments and pay 
homage to a job well done as he is retiring from his numerous 
leadership posts.
  Jay started his career as a teacher, selflessly giving all he had to 
each of his students, before moving on to a long, industrious career as 
an executive with the Whirlpool Corporation. Although he was working in 
the private sector, Jay utilized his leadership to promote academic 
achievement and excellence in our schools across the region, netting 
him more than a dozen state and national education awards.
  Jay was a tireless advocate for bringing business and education 
together to create a stronger community. He could always be seen 
serving in leadership positions throughout Southwest Michigan whether 
it was with the Business Roundtable, Michigan Business Leaders for 
Education Excellence, The Michigan Works Workforce Development Board 
and many many others.
  Through Jay's valiant leadership, the HOSTS mentoring program was 
established in Benton Harbor, and since then hundreds of students 
improved their reading scores and have been given the opportunity to 
succeed in school, as well as in life. His tireless work with the 
career preparation systems in Berrien, Van Buren and Cass Counties have 
become a national model and have enabled our young students to raise 
their test scores, allowing them to seek post-secondary education. 
These are just 2 of the examples of Jay's great work with the young 
people of our community.
  Education plays such an important role in the lives of our young 
people, and it is because of people like Jay Van Den Berg, that many 
have had the opportunity to succeed. I stand today, with the folks of 
the great sixth district of Michigan, to give a heartfelt ``thank you'' 
to Jay, and wish him a long and enjoyable retirement.

                          ____________________