[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 315]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 315]]

     TRIBUTE TO GEORGE SUAREZ, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MADISON HEIGHTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Mayor George Suarez who is 
resigning after 25 years of faithful and dedicated service to the City 
of Madison Heights and its residents.
  Mayor Suarez has governed the City of Madison Heights almost half of 
its city's 44 year history, and under his leadership and guidance, 
their residents have benefitted from new and expanded facilities.
  A senior citizen center, a district court building, a ``state-of-the-
art'' police station, a branch library, a second fire station, and a 
nature center built in Friendship Woods that proudly bears the Suarez 
name, are just a few of his outstanding accomplishments.
  In addition, George Suarez has served on innumerable boards and 
committees, not merely as a member, but as an active participant. And 
on a more festive note, Mayor Suarez had the honor of performing 1,925 
wedding ceremonies.
  Mr. Speaker, I have known and worked with Mayor Suarez from my very 
first term in the United States House of Representatives and have seen 
first-hand his community's development and progress. My staff and I 
have worked closely with the Mayor and his administration throughout 
the years, and we have always enjoyed a friendly and productive 
relationship.
  Serving the public has been a priority in the life of George Suarez 
and indeed, it will continue as his title changes from Mayor to 
Commissioner. In November, he ran and won the seat as Oakland County 
Commissioner for the 24th District and will begin serving in January 
1999.
  As he reflected on his retirement, he said, ``Although I'm stepping 
down as your Mayor, I plan to be an active part of the community for 
the foreseeable future, helping Madison Heights to continue to be the 
city of progress.'' I agree, and with a bit of a twist to an old 
saying--you can take the man out of Madison Heights, but you can't take 
Madison Heights out of the man.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me first, in thanking George 
Suarez for his friendship and all that he has accomplished for the 
residents of Madison Heights and second, to wish him good health and 
success in fulfilling his new assignment. We will miss you, Mayor 
Suarez.

                          ____________________