[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 27527-27528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               A TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE THOMAS R. LOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 1999

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a good friend, 
Mr. Tom Lock of my home town of Bay City, Michigan on the occasion of 
his retirement from the Bay City Commission. In terms of Tom's civic 
contributions to our community, I can unequivocally state that there 
are very few individuals who have had such an impact on the quality of 
life for residents of Bay City. And in terms of friendship, I can say 
that Tom is much loved in our community because, quite simply, he is a 
friend that can be counted on at all times.
  Tom's entire life has been devoted to public service, even as a 
student at Bay City Central High School, where in his spare time he 
managed the Essexville/Hampton Little League team. After graduation in 
1961, he joined the United States Navy, and in 1964, he married Ms. 
Lois Carol Genow. The Locks went on to have a wonderful family, and on 
July 18th of this year, they celebrated their 35th anniversary.

[[Page 27528]]

  Tom's distinguished service in the Navy can be seen as a blueprint 
for his many civic accomplishments. He received numerous citations and 
awards during the six years he served for our country. Among these are 
the Good Conduct Award, the National Defense Ribbon, the Certification 
of Accommodation for service in the Arctic Circle, Certification of 
Accommodation for work with Cuban Refugees. He was also recognized as 
Sailor of the Month, Service Force of the Atlantic Fleet.
  Following his discharge Tom returned to our home town to begin his 
many years of public service by becoming involved in several different 
area schools. For four years he was P.T.A. President at MacGregor 
Elementary School. He was instrumental in helping Central High School 
resolve their millage, and later he served on the Bay City Public 
School Housing and Boundaries Committee. From all of his activities 
during this period, one can see Tom's deep commitment to the youth of 
Bay County.
  Tom's commitment to the less fortunate among us can be seen in his 
involvement with social service organizations in the area. He served on 
the Board of Directors of the Bay Area Social Intervention Services, 
and on the Bay County Substance Abuse Advisory Committee. Representing 
Bay County, he served on the Saginaw/Bay Substance Abuse Services 
Commission.
  Tom continued his service to our community through local government. 
He served on the Bay City Planning Commission from 1985 to 1993, and 
for several years he was the Chairperson of the Commission. He resigned 
in 1993 to take a seat on the Bay City Commission. Tom served three 
terms, and as a symbol of the esteem his colleagues had for him, he was 
elected President twice.
  Tom's service as Fourth Ward Commissioner is noteworthy for his many 
accomplishments. In short, Tom changed the dynamics of our city through 
his demonstrated philosophy of individual duty for the greater benefit 
of the community. Tom was responsible for a great many changes, but 
time allows me to only list but a few. Using his influence with his 
colleagues, Tom helped pass a resolution allowing the Bay City staff 
and elected officials the opportunity of attending a team building 
training meeting. He sponsored a resolution which allowed the city 
charter to be placed on the ballot in order that it be revised and 
modernized. He was heavily involved in the middlegrounds landfill 
clean-up, and the eastside riverfront clean-up. Privately, he was 
responsible for a fund-raising effort to modernize the Bay City Fire 
Department, by purchasing equipment which makes it easier to find 
individuals during a fire.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, Tom's contributions to our community are 
many and are not limited to only one sphere of accomplishment. Tom 
volunteered for the Navy because he wanted to serve our country. He was 
involved in our schools because of his concern for our children. Tom 
was involved in city government because he wanted to make our home, Bay 
City, a place to be proud of. And, Mr. Speaker, I can say with all 
confidence that the residents of Bay City are proud and grateful to 
Tom.
  It is my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that in Tom's retirement he 
intends to spend much time with his wife, Lois, and their three 
children--Marcie, and her husband Bernie LaBerge and their three 
children Jessica, Brandon, and Danielle; Cindy-Sue Hernden and her two 
children Alyssa and Ryan; and Tammi-Rae, and her husband Tom Stein and 
their child Brittney. It is also my understanding that he will continue 
his long list of public service by serving on the Board of the Boys and 
Girls Clubs of Bay County.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite you and our colleagues to join me today in 
honoring Mr. Tom Lock for his many contributions to our community. He 
truly is an example of exemplary civic duty, and as such, serves as a 
model to all of those in our country who desire to help others in their 
communities. Please join me in congratulating Tom, and in wishing him 
many productive years with his family and his many activities in our 
community.

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