[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2075]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    TRIBUTE TO SHERIFF MICHAEL GAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 14, 2001

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to Sheriff Michael Gage 
upon his retirement as Huron County's top law enforcement official. 
During his decade-long tenure, Sheriff Gage pioneered community 
policing long before the term became common-place. As a police officer, 
as a father, as a devoted member of his church and contributor to his 
community, Michael Gage serves as a model for others to emulate.
  Mike's strength of character, deep sense of duty and judiciousness 
earned him a well-deserved reputation for principled leadership within 
the Sheriff's Department and his community. His service was marked by a 
keen understanding that the law's reach must be guided by a firm but 
measured hand that takes into account individual and unique 
circumstances, as well as one's duty to strictly enforce the law.
  While never swaying from his duty, Michael Gage also refused to 
shrink from offering compassion to those in need. During his time and 
after his time as Sheriff, Mike demonstrate a continuing commitment to 
helping those who found themselves on the wrong side of the law. In 
recent years, Mike has maintained correspondence with numerous former 
inmates and attempts to keep them on the right path by lending a 
willing ear and a responsive heart.
  In his work and in his life, Michael Gage has lived out his faith in 
ways which have made a real difference for his family and his 
community. Mike has been thoroughly devoted to Carol, his wife of 34 
years, and their three children, and their family has also reached out 
across international borders in hosting 17 exchange students in 20 
years.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am proud that my friend's decision to turn in 
his badge will not mean a retreat from the dedicated service to his 
fellow citizens that has been the benchmark of his storied career. In 
fact, Mike is wasting no time in continuing his public service with his 
recent election to the Huron County Board of Commissioners. I know the 
board will welcome the addition of his significant knowledge, skills 
and experience as they work for the future of Huron County.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing gratitude to Sheriff 
Gage for his outstanding service and wish him continued success in 
serving the needs of Huron County.

                          ____________________