[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 177 (Friday, November 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MAYOR MARILYN STEPHAN'S LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY OF BERKLEY, 
                                MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 18, 2011

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my friend, Mayor 
Marilyn Stephan, as she retires from her position as Mayor of Berkley, 
Michigan, after more than a decade of service to her community and 
region.
  A longtime resident of Berkley, Marilyn's record of service long 
predates her involvement on Berkley's City Council and as Mayor.
  In a demonstration of her commitment to building a stronger 
community, Marilyn dedicated her professional life to educating and 
nurturing the development of her students. As a teacher, first in 
Clarenceville and later in the Berkley School District, Marilyn made 
development of future generations her daily responsibility. Whether it 
was teaching English or home economics, Marilyn brought with her an 
unwavering commitment and passion for educating her students in the 
skills they needed to become successful. As a debate coach, Marilyn 
helped her students refine their critical thinking and public speaking 
skills, both of which are required for being an effective leader.
  As a passionate educator in her community, Marilyn's work during her 
tenure did not end in the classroom. In her home, Marilyn raised her 
children with the same zeal she displayed in her teaching and today is 
a proud mother and grandmother. As an impassioned leader among her 
fellow educators, Marilyn also served a decade as President of the 
Berkley Education Association.
  It is no surprise that a quiet retirement was unlikely for Marilyn 
and in November 1999 she was elected to the Berkley City Council and 
later as Mayor of Berkley in 2005. In her role as Mayor, Marilyn has 
been a strong voice of the needs of her community in important regional 
organizations like the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, the 
Woodward Avenue Action Association and the South Oakland County Mayors 
Association. Under her leadership, Berkley has successfully implemented 
major road improvements, stabilized its financial outlook and updated 
its master plan, all of which made Berkley a better place to live for 
its residents. As a testament to the improvements she oversaw, Forbes 
Magazine and Business Week named Berkley one of America's best 
affordable suburbs in 2010.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing 
Marilyn's lifelong career of service to Berkley, Michigan. I know that 
her dedication, passion and leadership will be greatly missed within 
Berkley's city administration and by its neighboring communities. I 
wish Marilyn many happy years with her children and grandchildren in 
retirement and I know she will continue to be a voice of positive 
change in her community.

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