[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 152 (Friday, December 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1829]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE VICKI BARNETT FOR TWENTY YEARS 
       OF SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF FARMINGTON HILLS AND MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
valued public servant to the people of Michigan, my dear friend, State 
Representative Vicki Barnett. After twenty years of service to the 
residents of the Greater Farmington area at both the local and state 
level, Vicki is preparing to embark upon new endeavors.
  Prior to her embarking upon her journey of public service, Vicki 
worked as a financial planner, helping her clients realize their goals 
through making sound investments, a profession she has continued during 
her tenure as an elected official. Vicki is also a licensed accident, 
life and health insurance agent.
  As a person who cares deeply for the well-being and vitality of her 
community, Vicki sought to make a difference in Farmington Hills, one 
of Oakland County's most populous and diverse cities, and was elected 
to the Farmington Hills City Council in 1995. She went on to serve as a 
Councilwoman for eight years before the voters of Farmington Hills 
elected her their mayor in 2003. While serving as mayor, Vicki worked 
to revitalize her community by creating a long-term economic master 
plan that focused on encouraging mixed-use developments and increasing 
commercial density--plans which put Farmington Hills at the forefront 
of these efforts. In recognition of her strong record of service and 
results, she was named the President of the Michigan Municipal League 
from 2006 to 2007 and was named one of Detroit's most influential women 
by Crain's Magazine in 2007.
  Following her time in city government, Vicki went on to continue the 
legacy of another great Farmington Hills Mayor in Lansing and public 
servant, Aldo Vagnozzi, a man who also served as her mentor. I know it 
was a great honor for Vicki to be entrusted to succeed Aldo both as 
Mayor and later as Farmington and Farmington Hills' voice in Michigan's 
House of Representatives in Lansing. In that role, she has continued 
her exemplary commitment to public service, working across the aisle as 
an advocate for strengthening public schools, leveraging Michigan's 
resources to draw new industries to the state, and protecting 
communities' abilities to provide essential services to their 
residents. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, she was named 
the 2012 Legislator of the Year by the Police Officers Association of 
Michigan.
  I have been so fortunate to have a partner at the state level like 
Vicki, who has been a strong voice and valuable resource for the people 
of Michigan. With experience that transcends multiple levels of 
government, her advice on the issues affecting the state of Michigan 
has been invaluable.
  Mr. Speaker, as a public servant, I know that our local elected 
officials are dedicated to the communities they serve. Vicki has 
demonstrated this throughout her tenure of service to the people of the 
Greater Farmington area and Michigan. I know her passion and reason 
will be greatly missed by her colleagues in the Michigan Legislature, 
but as someone who cares deeply for her community, I know Vicki will 
continue to be involved in endeavors that seek to strengthen the City 
of Farmington Hills and other municipalities across Michigan. I wish 
her success in her new endeavors and look forward to continuing to work 
with her for the people of Michigan.

                          ____________________