[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 3]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 3126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DWIGHT ``PETE'' MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRED UPTON

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2008

  Mr. UPTON. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dwight 
``Pete'' Mitchell, a community leader in Southwest Michigan who is 
retiring this week after more than 35 years in public service.
  In the center of downtown Benton Harbor sits a large rock, engraved 
with the name of Dwight ``Pete'' Mitchell City Center Park. That 
certainly represents Pete Mitchell--he's solid as a rock, a foundation 
for our community. An accomplished boxer as a young man, Pete Mitchell, 
like his hometown of Benton Harbor, has shown he can take a punch, and 
he can fight back and win. Many of the projects that are being 
accomplished right now that are leading Benton Harbor's renaissance 
have benefited from Pete's quiet and steady leadership. Whether it's 
the Arts District, downtown development, new housing, or new jobs and 
recreation, Pete was there with the vision and perseverance to put 
together the partnerships that are making a difference in lives of 
Benton Harbor residents.
  While Pete is retiring as Benton Harbor City Manager, he has a long 
legacy of involvement in his community. A 1954 graduate of Benton 
Harbor High School, Pete has served on the Benton Harbor Area Schools 
board, the Airport Authority, the Council for World-Class Communities, 
the Boys and Girls Club, and a number of other organizations in his 
hometown. He has been honored by Lake Michigan College with the 
Distinguished Alumni Award, and was a recipient of the College's 
Diversity Award.
  Pete Mitchell is a man who dedicated his life to his hometown, and to 
the betterment of his fellow man. He is truly ``The Rock.''

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