[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 22970-22971] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING DON CHARLEVOIX ON HIS RETIREMENT AS SHERIFF OF DICKINSON COUNTY, MICHIGAN ______ HON. BART STUPAK of michigan in the house of representatives Sunday, September 28, 2008 Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Dickinson County Sheriff Don Charlevoix. Sheriff Charlevoix, Dickinson County, Michigan's longest serving sheriff, will retire at the end of this year after 31 years in law enforcement. As a former Michigan State Trooper, I have a special appreciation for the service of public servants like Sheriff Charlevoix, and I ask that you, Madam Speaker, and the entire U.S. House of Representatives, join me in paying tribute to his 20 years of service with the Dickinson County Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Charlevoix started his law enforcement career in 1977 with the Northern Michigan University Public Safety Department from 1977 to 1983. He worked for the Marinette City Police Department for a short time, and then the Norway Police Department from 1983 to 1988 prior to being elected sheriff in 1989. Sheriff Charlevoix instituted many changes in the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office over the years and developed an outstanding and dedicated staff of law enforcement officers and employees. In addition to guiding the office through several expansion projects, Don Charlevoix continued to acquire numerous grants and successfully maintained and developed valuable programs such as D.A.R.E., Marine, Snowmobile, ORV Patrols as well as airport and courthouse security programs. As a former president of the Michigan Sheriff's Association, Sheriff Charlevoix is widely recognized by his peers as one of Michigan's top sheriffs. He was instrumental in forging a truly cooperative working relationship among law enforcement agencies, county officials and numerous local governmental entities. In addition to overseeing a staff of 61 full and part-time employees at the Sheriff's Office and Correctional Center, Sheriff Charlevoix always [[Page 22971]] found time to work and speak with the people he served and has always been completely dedicated to helping the public. When he announced he would be retiring, Don told the Iron Mountain Daily News: ``I will miss the people more than anything. Serving as your sheriff has truly been a pleasure and I will always look back fondly upon the many wonderful memories and relationships that we have developed over the years.'' Don Charlevoix and his wife, Teresa, have a wonderful family and he hopes to spend more time with them when he retires. He plans to do some traveling and find some time to ride his motorcycle a little more. The Charlevoixs plan on staying in Dickinson County, in the place they love best. Madam Speaker, the dedicated men and women who enforce the law to protect their communities rarely receive the praise they deserve. I ask that you and the entire U.S. House of Representatives join with me in congratulating Sheriff Donald Charlevoix on a job well done and in wishing him well in his retirement. ____________________