[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 3 (Thursday, January 5, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E26-E27]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF JACQUELINE NOONAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 5, 2017

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Jacqueline Noonan, 
who recently retired as Mayor after 29 years of service and dedication 
to the city of Utica. On January 8th, friends and family will gather to 
celebrate her retirement and pay tribute to her many accomplishments.
  Jackie graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor's Degree in 
Secondary Education. She found great joy in working with kids as a 
teacher and later as a volunteer in the Utica Community Schools where 
her children attended school. In fact, if there was a way to get 
involved in her community, Jackie found it. A committed and prolific 
volunteer, Jackie served as a member of the Utica Community Schools 
Enrollment Advisory Board, volunteered with the Girl Scouts and Boy 
Scouts, was active in St. Lawrence Catholic Church, and helped new 
mothers with La Leche League International. While serving as Mayor, she 
continued to work closely with students as a spokesperson and advocate 
for the Macomb County Traffic Safety Association's ``Don't Drink and 
Drive'' alcohol education program. In 1991, she returned to the 
classroom teaching at Marlow Junior High and later at Eisenhower High 
School.
  Jackie and her husband Jerry loved being a part of Utica's small town 
life where they ran a family business for 21 years. Jerry went to work 
for the Fire Department and later retired as the Assistant Fire Chief 
and Fire Inspector. Jackie was a founding member of the Friends of 
Utica Public Library and served on numerous committees throughout the 
community.

[[Page E27]]

She was elected to City Council in 1981 and was elected Mayor in 1987.
  As Mayor, Jackie understood that in addition to serving its 
residents, the City of Utica also plays a vital role in strengthening 
the region as a whole. She led the efforts to improve essential city 
services and responsiveness to constituents and businesses. Jackie 
spearheaded efforts to improve local roads including the widening of 
important roadways like M-59 and Van Dyke Avenue. Working closely with 
her on this project, I saw firsthand her dogged determination. Jackie 
also saw the value in establishing strong working relationships with 
her neighboring communities of Sterling Heights and Shelby Township as 
they shared services and resources. They even held their annual State 
of the City addresses together.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating Jackie and wishing 
her and her husband Jerry, and all their children and grandchildren the 
very best as they begin this next chapter. I am grateful to Jackie for 
her many years of dedicated public service, as well as for her 
friendship, and I am so pleased to join with the entire community in 
paying tribute to her, which is so deeply deserved.

                          ____________________