[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2144]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING DON CHARLEVOIX ON HIS RETIREMENT AS SHERIFF OF DICKINSON 
                            COUNTY, MICHIGAN

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                            HON. BART STUPAK

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Sunday, September 28, 2008

  Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dickinson County 
Sheriff Don Charlevoix. Sheriff Charlevoix, Dickinson County, 
Michigan's longest serving sheriff, will retire at the end of this year 
after 31 years in law enforcement. As a former Michigan State Trooper, 
I have a special appreciation for the service of public servants like 
Sheriff Charlevoix, and I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire 
U.S. House of Representatives, join me in paying tribute to his 20 
years of service with the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department.
  Sheriff Charlevoix started his law enforcement career in 1977 with 
the Northern Michigan University Public Safety Department from 1977 to 
1983. He worked for the Marinette City Police Department for a short 
time, and then the Norway Police Department from 1983 to 1988 prior to 
being elected sheriff in 1989.
  Sheriff Charlevoix instituted many changes in the Dickinson County 
Sheriff's Office over the years and developed an outstanding and 
dedicated staff of law enforcement officers and employees. In addition 
to guiding the office through several expansion projects, Don 
Charlevoix continued to acquire numerous grants and successfully 
maintained and developed valuable programs such as D.A.R.E., Marine, 
Snowmobile, ORV Patrols as well as airport and courthouse security 
programs.
  As a former president of the Michigan Sheriff's Association, Sheriff 
Charlevoix is widely recognized by his peers as one of Michigan's top 
sheriffs. He was instrumental in forging a truly cooperative working 
relationship among law enforcement agencies, county officials and 
numerous local governmental entities. In addition to overseeing a staff 
of 61 full and part-time employees at the Sheriff's Office and 
Correctional Center, Sheriff Charlevoix always found time to work and 
speak with the people he served and has always been completely 
dedicated to helping the public.
  When he announced he would be retiring, Don told the Iron Mountain 
Daily News: ``I will miss the people more than anything. Serving as 
your sheriff has truly been a pleasure and I will always look back 
fondly upon the many wonderful memories and relationships that we have 
developed over the years.''
  Don Charlevoix and his wife, Teresa, have a wonderful family and he 
hopes to spend more time with them when he retires. He plans to do some 
traveling and find some time to ride his motorcycle a little more. The 
Charlevoixs plan on staying in Dickinson County, in the place they love 
best.
  Madam Speaker, the dedicated men and women who enforce the law to 
protect their communities rarely receive the praise they deserve. I ask 
that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in 
congratulating Sheriff Donald Charlevoix on a job well done and in 
wishing him well in his retirement.




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