[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 177 (Wednesday, December 2, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING THE NEW HARRISON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY

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                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 2, 2009

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Madam Speaker, it is my honor to acknowledge 
the recent grand opening celebration of the new Harrison Township 
Public Library (HTPL) which was held on October 24th, 2009. I had the 
privilege to attend this special occasion along with other public 
officials, library staff and community leaders. The HTPL truly is a 
remarkable story and is a shining example of what can occur when people 
come together to accomplish a common goal.
  The HTPL is an all-volunteer library and operates on a budget from 
the sales of used books and other promotional items and also the 
collection of private donations. Not a single dollar of tax-payer money 
was used to open the new facility.
  It took the will power of very dedicated individuals who worked as a 
team to ensure Harrison Township would no longer be the only 
municipality in Macomb County without a library. However, the road to 
complete this project was anything but easy to navigate. The economic 
challenges were extremely difficult to overcome, and there were many 
road blocks along the way. At times it appeared that the dream was all 
but lost.
  In fact, many would have given up on this project. But the community 
volunteers would not let this dream fade away, and instead rolled up 
their sleeves and went back to the drawing board to get the job done. 
Only through hard work and determination was Harrison Township finally 
able to open the doors on its new library.
  Numerous organizations and people helped make this dream come true: 
The Township offered the space to house the library; Macomb County 
donated materials and books to stock shelves; partners from the private 
sector and academia provided other key resources to furnish the library 
with proper information technology.
  I certainly want to commend the numerous library volunteers for all 
the hours they contributed and the personal sacrifices they made to 
assist with this effort. I too was more than happy to lend a helping 
hand by donating books obtained through the Library of Congress' 
Surplus Book Program.
  Now I am pleased to say that the residents of Harrison Township have 
their own library! Senior citizens now have a place to read the 
newspaper or check out a book. Students now have a quiet place to do 
research, finish their homework or use the Internet. There is even a 
children's section that has games, toys and books for families to 
utilize to help their children learn.
  I would like to name for the record the key volunteers who made this 
dream a reality, for without them, this project would have never come 
to fruition: Marge Swiatkowski, the Director of Library Volunteer 
Committee, and her husband Jack; we need to also recognize Joyce Bane, 
John and Carolyn Bicsak, Jim and Mary Lou Bilen, Gale Brady, Tracy 
Champine, Natalie Cruz, Donna Dertinger, Phil and Marsh Devergillo, 
Julie Dries, Bobbi Gust, Ann Marie Hergott, Toni Hindman, Kathy Hunt, 
Jane Jones, Althea Lanuzza, Mary LaPlante, Joan Lavey, Katie LeBlanc, 
Madaline Mannino, Diane Marvaso, Jean McKay, Kathy McRae, Ellen McKee, 
Jo Mitchell, Nancy Motring, Mary Oberliesin, Beverly Ortman, Joan 
Schmidt, Sandy Schwab, Marty Shadel, Stephanie Simon, Thomas Sycko, 
Chris Hearns, Nancy Trompics, Mary Mahoney, Sheri Mathison, Jane Roda 
and Dee Turowski.
  I applaud each of you for your tireless efforts! Your display of 
leadership and teamwork are something to be emulated throughout the 
community.

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