[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LARRY CLYMER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Larry 
Clymer, an outstanding public servant with a long and distinguished 
career of service in Southwest Michigan. Larry passed away unexpectedly 
this week and will be greatly missed by our community.
  As the longtime mayor of Niles he was a valued and trusted friend. 
Upon my election to Congress, part of Larry's legacy came to Washington 
with me, in the form of his son, Jeff, who served as my first 
Legislative Director.
  Though Larry was an active Republican, he was not afraid to create 
coalitions to put the best interests of Niles first--a lesson I learned 
from him and follow still today. He was indeed ``Mr. Niles'' and I 
always appreciated his thoughts and interests, regularly weighing in on 
behalf of the greater community good.
  I would be hard pressed to find someone with a greater dedication to 
Niles and Berrien County, MI. Larry faithfully served our community for 
a combined 28 years--14 as the mayor of Niles and 14 as a Berrien 
County Commissioner. Outside of his official duties, Larry earned the 
nickname ``marrying mayor'' after performing more than 250 marriages, 
and was known for his sense of humor.
  Larry was an exceptional public servant, and a gentleman. He has 
given a lifetime of service to our community, and our thoughts today 
are with his wife, Eleanor, and his family. We lost a treasure in 
Niles, and we will all miss him sorely. God bless ``Mr. Niles.''

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