[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 88 (Monday, July 10, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1355]]
                         TRIBUTE LINDA HIRVONEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 10, 2006

  Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize an outstanding 
individual who has dedicated the last nine years of her life to 
spurring economic growth and development in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
  Ms. Linda Hirvonen retired at the end of June as Director of the 
Delta County Economic Development Alliance. During her time there, she 
worked tirelessly on economic and community development in northern 
Michigan.
  Ms. Hirnoven was critical to business and job growth in Delta County. 
As of April 2006, there were 2,400 more people in the workforce than 
when she began in 1997. Ms. Hirvonen assisted 575 individuals and 
companies looking to start a business or relocate in Delta County. 
Those statistics are impressive and speak to Ms. Hirvonen's record of 
success and accomplishment. However, they only tell part of the story. 
What she will perhaps be remembered for most is the leadership and 
vision in economic development that she brought to the job and to Delta 
County.
  Ms. Hirvonen is credited by many as coining the term ``coopetition,'' 
the concept that private businesses should cooperate with each other 
and with nonprofits to develop the community infrastructure that will 
facilitate economic growth and lay the foundation for a stable business 
environment. This concept of ``coopetition'' has guided Delta County's 
Economic Development Alliance and the many programs that Ms. Hirvonen 
developed during her tenure.
  Ms. Hirvonen was instrumental in the creation of the Upper Peninsula 
Economic Development Alliance and served as the Alliance's first 
president. She saw to the creation of the Bay Area Economic Club and 
served as the Club's permanent board secretary. She pioneered the 
creation of Delta Force, the community leadership development program.
  A newcomer herself to the area in 1997, Ms. Hirvonen established a 
program through the Alliance that provides a network of support for 
newcomers to Delta County. She recognized that for the community to 
grow, newcomers to the area need to feel welcome. The newcomers unit 
provided a valuable network for those individuals and businesses that 
are new to Delta County.
  Ms. Hirvonen also led the Alliance's efforts to better assess the 
needs of existing businesses in the Upper Peninsula. Thanks to her 
leadership, the Economic Development Alliance implemented the Upper 
Peninsula Business Barometer, a UP-wide survey of existing businesses 
to better understand business' needs and strengths.
  The overarching goal of the Economic Development Alliance has been to 
support and assist business creation, growth and expansion in Delta 
County. Ms. Hirvonen has been tremendously successful in advancing that 
goal, attracting several businesses to Delta County. She is 
particularly proud of one new business, Issues and Answers Network. 
This business came to Delta County in 2001 and, with the Alliance's 
help, opened two more locations throughout the Upper Peninsula. The 
company employs 150 people in Escanaba and, thanks to this expansion, 
Issues and Answers should employ more than 300 people throughout the 
Upper Peninsula by the end of this year.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Linda Hirvonen has made it her business to see to 
business expansion and growth in Delta County and in the Upper 
Peninsula. Bringing business and economic growth to smaller, rural 
communities is often challenging. It can only happen when people like 
Ms. Hirvonen dedicate themselves to the effort. Today, after nine years 
of distinguished service to her community, I congratulate Ms. Hirvonen 
on a job well done.
  Her husband, Dr. Michael Allkins, recently retired himself. The two 
of them will now have more time for their mutual pastimes of golf, long 
walks on sandy beaches and martinis at sunset. To both of them, I say: 
enjoy, you have earned it.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and the House of Representatives join me 
in congratulating my friend, my constituent, Ms. Linda Hirvonen and 
thanking her for her hard work and nine years of service to Delta 
County and Michigan's entire Upper Peninsula.

                          ____________________