[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 27, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E253-E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING IOSCO COUNTY CLERK MICHAEL WELSCH ON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 27, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a northern 
Michigan resident who has been an exemplary leader in his community. 
Michael Welsch is celebrating his retirement after more than 35 years 
of service to losco County, Michigan. Mr. Welsch served as the Iosco 
County Clerk from 1988 until his retirement on December 31, 2007. But 
long before that he was serving his community, State and country.
  Enlisting in the U.S. Air Force on August 15, 1966, Mr. Welsch was 
assigned to parachute rigging for technical schooling, where he 
graduated with honors. On February 14, 1967 he arrived at Wurtsmith Air 
Force Base in Oscoda, Michigan and remained there until he was 
honorably discharged in May 1970. While serving in the Air Force, Mr. 
Welsch also began working part-time for the losco County Sheriff's 
Department as a dispatcher/turnkey, working four consecutive days on 
the job, followed by four consecutive days off.
  Upon his honorable discharge from the Air Force he began working 
full-time for the losco County Sheriff's Department as the marine 
officer. He became the first certified SCUBA diver employed by losco 
County. In this capacity, he was responsible for the recovery of 25 
bodies. In 1970, Mr. Welsch attended basic police training at Delta 
College, where he finished first in his class. In late 1971, he left 
the losco County Sheriff's Department to work in the private sector. 
But his days of public service were far from over.
  Just over a year later, in March 1973, he returned to the Sheriff's 
Department as a road officer. He was later promoted to detective then 
detective sergeant. It was during this time that he worked as an 
undercover narcotics officer throughout the state of Michigan. For his 
undercover work, Mr. Welsch sported long hair, a beard and a Harley-
Davidson motorcycle. He also trained his cocker spaniel, Brandy, for 
drug searches.
  In April 1977, Mr. Welsch married Debra Roach. Nearly 5 years later, 
in January 1982, their first son, Andrew, was born. Two years later, in 
April 1984, their son Peter was born. Peter's tragic death in 2004 
brought shock and grief to the Welsch family, yet he remained active as 
ever with his work in the community.
  In 1979, Mr. Welsch was promoted to undersheriff in Iosco County, a 
position in which he served until December 1984. In January 1985, he 
accepted a position with the 81st District Court as the probation 
officer and was later given the additional duties of court 
administrator. In addition to working in the court, he also worked 
nights and weekends at Freel's Market in Tawas City, Michigan.
  This experience in law enforcement, the private sector and with the 
court, prepared Mr. Welsch for his next challenge. He successfully ran 
in 1988 for the position of losco County Clerk, a position in which he 
served until his retirement at the end of last year. He faced 
opposition in every election, but always prevailed. The community 
clearly recognized his selfless dedication to public service.

[[Page E254]]

  At the same time Mr. Welsch was preparing to take over the 
responsibilities of County Clerk, his wife began attending Alpena 
Community College, where she received her associate's degree in 1990. 
She then went on to Saginaw Valley State College, and in December 1991 
she graduated suma cum laude with a bachelor's degree in accounting. As 
Debra was furthering her education, Mike worked nights as the janitor 
of Emanuel Lutheran School, while also taking care of the kids, 
cooking, cleaning and doing laundry.
  Mr. Welsch has received recognition for his professional 
accomplishments over the years. In 1997 the Northeast Sunrise Chapter 
of the American Business Women named him Business Associate for the 
Year and in 2001 the Michigan Association of County Clerks selected him 
Clerk of the Year.
  Serving from 1998-1999, Mr. Welsch was the longest serving president 
of the Michigan Association of County Clerks. He served from 2005-2007 
as the president of the United County Officers Association of Michigan. 
He is a past chairman of the Statewide Pool board of directors, an arm 
of the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, an organization 
for which he currently serves as secretary. He also serves on the board 
of directors for AuSable Valley Community Health.
  Michael Welsch's service to his community, State and country goes 
beyond elected office, professional accomplishments and time served in 
the Armed Forces. He has served as chairman of trustees, school board 
chairman and treasurer at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Tawas City, 
Michigan. He has been a coach, referee and referee assessor for the 
Tawas Area Soccer Association. He has been a member of the Tawas Area 
Kiwanis Club since 1989, of which he served as president from 1994 to 
1995 and was awarded a George F. Hixon Fellowship by the club, one of 
the highest honors the organization bestows.
  He has worked as a pyrotechnician for the Tawas Area Fourth of July 
fireworks for 15 years and was grand marshal in the 2001 Fourth of July 
parade. He has served as the secretary of the Men's Major Bowling 
League for 10 years and was Perchville King in 1998.
  Madam Speaker, all of us struggle to balance our professional lives 
with involvement in our local communities. As a public servant and 
community leader, Michael Welsch exemplifies that balance. I regret 
that I cannot personally attend his retirement party on March 1 in East 
Tawas, Michigan.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in saluting Mr. Michael Welsch for his years of 
dedication to his community and in congratulating him on a well 
deserved retirement.

                          ____________________