[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1053-E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SAGINAW COUNTY 
                CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ROBERT VAN DEVENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN R. MOOLENAAR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2018

  Mr. MOOLENAAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Van 
Deventer, the President and CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of 
Commerce, upon his retirement.
  During his more than fifteen years with the Saginaw County Chamber, 
Bob has been a recognized community leader and a leading advocate for 
enhancing the Great Lakes Bay Region. In fact, numerous non-profit 
organizations have recruited Bob to serve as an advisor and have sought 
his expertise; Bob has served on the Great Lakes Bay Regional Branding 
and Communications Council, Saginaw County Business and Education 
Partnership, the Great Lakes Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, 
Saginaw Future, Inc., the SVSU College of Business and Management 
Advisory Board and the CMU Alumni Advisory Board of Directors just to 
list a few.
  Bob also served as President and member of the Board of Directors for 
the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. Under his leadership, Bob 
increased communication and joint ventures amongst Bay, Isabella, 
Midland and Saginaw counties. At a time when the City of Saginaw was 
about to close the doors on the Saginaw Civic Center, Bob along with 
the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, led a successful campaign to 
restore and upgrade the building into what is now the Dow Event Center. 
This advancement set in motion the campaign to redevelop the 
deteriorating downtown Saginaw. Bob and the Alliance have been able to 
enhance our local communities by drawing tourism to the Great Lakes Bay 
Region.
  Throughout Bob's illustrious career with the Saginaw County Chamber 
of Commerce, he

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truly embodied its mission and vision. From supporting the success of 
local businesses to building healthy organizations and community 
through his volunteerism, Bob has dedicated his efforts to revitalizing 
Saginaw County and creating an exceptional place to live and work.
  On behalf of the Fourth Congressional District of Michigan, I am 
honored today to recognize Robert Van Deventer upon his retirement from 
the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and extend my appreciation for 
his commitment to Saginaw and the Great Lakes Bay Region.

                          ____________________