[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1841]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRANKENMUTH, MICHIGAN BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

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                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2005

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise before you today, and to 
ask my colleagues in the 109th Congress to please join me in 
celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Frankenmuth, Michigan 
Beautification Committee. On Wednesday, September 14, civic and 
community leaders will join Frankenmuth residents to commemorate this 
momentous occasion.
  The Frankenmuth Beautification Committee was created in 1955 by 
Village Superintendent Herbert L. Keinath, his wife Edna, Village 
President Otto Trinklein, former Village President Carl Satow, and 
Councilman M.F. ``Hick'' Leslie. These individuals envisioned a group 
working as one to promote, cultivate, and enhance the city's natural 
beauty. The original Committee consisted of 11 dedicated pioneers who 
laid a foundation and structure for the organization: Ed Daenzer, Ellen 
Felgner, Lena Stromer, Edna Keinath, Liz Zeilinger, Police Chief Henry 
Zinck, Reverend August Kehrberg, Oscar Rau, Carl Rupprecht, Howard 
Mueller, and Wally Bronner. Since its inception, nearly 100 Frankenmuth 
residents have served as part of the Committee.
  As the organization has grown over the years, so have its projects. 
Originally, the Committee's tasks included planting petunias and 
placing Christmas decorations on Main Street. Today they, with the 
cooperation of area businesses and organizations such as the Zehnder 
family, Greater Frankenmuth Area Community Foundation, Wallace & Irene 
Bronner and Family Foundation, Frankenmuth Women's Club, and many 
others, are responsible for thousands of floral arrangements, banners 
and flags, flower baskets that have become one of the city's signature 
products, and an awe-inspiring display of holidays lights and displays 
that have become one of the state's largest tourist attractions. In 
addition, the Committee, under the leadership of Mayor James Wickson, 
commemorates Arbor Day each year with the donation and planting of more 
than 100 trees, every year since 1963.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to acknowledge perhaps Frankenmuth's 
greatest natural resource, its people. It is the generosity of business 
owners who donate money and resources, the spirit of community 
exhibited by its caring residents, and the pride in ownership they all 
possess, that make Frankenmuth such a warm and welcoming environment, 
and a wonderful place in which to live. I am grateful to have men and 
women such as these in my district. Once again, I ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in congratulating the Frankenmuth 
Beautification Committee on its 50th Anniversary.

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