[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOYCE WATTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2017

  Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my friend 
Joyce Watts.
  After 40 years as Allegan County Clerk and Register, this past 
December Joyce made the tough decision to hang it up and retire.
  She did so as the longest-serving elected county clerk in the entire 
state of Michigan and simply put one of the most dedicated public 
servants our great state has ever seen.
  Joyce juggled many duties in her career. Before she was clerk-
register, she was register of deeds for 12 years. She also served on 
the board of directors of the National Association of County Recorders 
and Clerks.
  Joyce always impressed me with her professionalism, work-ethic, and 
tireless advocacy on behalf of our corner of the state. Joyce was 
someone you could trust to get the job done right. And as a clerk 
handling elections, it's absolutely imperative you have someone of her 
character and integrity serving in that position.
  There is no doubting her passion and commitment. But above all, Joyce 
was a wife, mother, and a friend to me and countless others in our 
Allegan community.
  And so, I want to wish Joyce, her husband John, and their son Jason 
and his wife Lesley best of luck in the coming years and I look forward 
to remaining close friends.

                          ____________________