[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16750]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO REV. JOHN A. TOTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2002

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, all over the United States we are 
blessed with a wonderful sense of community, where neighbor helps 
neighbor. One important reason for this great blessing is the inspired 
guidance of our religious leaders.
  In my home state of Michigan, one of those leaders has been bringing 
God's word for over 30 years. The Rev. John A. Toth, of the First 
Presbyterian Church in Dimondale, has been a beacon of faith and 
prayer, of hope and service, and of charity and outreach to the less 
fortunate. His life's work has been devoted to the service of others--
his faith, his family, his community and his country.
  John has been supported in his ministry by his remarkable wife 
Joanne. Thanks to their work, Dimondale is a better place to live and 
raise a family.
  I am honored today to rise in recognition of the steadfast service 
and commitment of this fine American and a principled man of God, 
Reverend John A. Toth.
  Reverend Toth pastored the First Presbyterian Church in Dimondale, 
Michigan for 30 years and has been a positive and energetic force for 
the community outside of his ministry. He has served as precinct 
delegate, on the Eaton County Courthouse Square board, on the state 
Boundary Commission, village appeals board and Eaton County's Solid 
Waste Planning Commission. The fruits of his work know no bounds. For 
instance, what started as a church youth paper drive for camp 
scholarships developed into the Dimondale recycling center, which 
recycles over 1.8 million pounds of materials a year.
  On Sunday, September 15, 2002, Rev. Toth will give his last sermon as 
the church's minister and he will be honored for his hard work and 
dedication at a special dinner. John Toth's significant contribution to 
not only those his ministry touched, but also the entire State of 
Michigan, in no way goes unnoticed. I would like to express my sincere 
gratitude for the efforts of Rev. Toth to improve the lives of those 
around him. The people of Michigan are truly grateful for his service.

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