Bart Stupak

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to the attention to this House and the entire Nation the 25th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord, MI. His Holiness, Pope Paul VI, established the Gaylord Diocese on July 20, 1971. On July 21, 1996 a special liturgical celebration will be held at the Cathedral of St. Mary Our Lady of Mount Carmel to commemorate the establishment of this diocese. The Diocese of Gaylord was created from the separation of territories originally part of the Saginaw and Grand Rapids Dioceses. The new diocese covered 21 of the most beautiful counties in northern Michigan. In 1971 the diocese had a total population of 288,556 and a Roman Catholic population of 66,000. At the age of 43, Edmund Szoka from the Diocese of Marquette became the youngest bishop in the Nation. With 83 parishes under his charge, Bishop Szoka embraced the motto ``To Live in Faith.'' Through many hours of hard work and cooperation with the residing priests and congregations Bishop Szoka was able to bring the separate parishes together in love, prayer and community. Bishop Szoka stayed with the Diocese of Gaylord for 10 years. In 1981 he left the area for new assignments. When asked about the silver anniversary, Edmund Szoka, now a cardinal, said that even though he left 15 years ago ``a great part of [his] heart remains and always will remain in the Diocese of Gaylord.'' When Cardinal Szoka left the Diocese he was replaced by Bishop Robert Rose. Bishop Rose served the diocese for 8 years before moving south to the Grand Rapids' Diocese. The current bishop, Patrick Cooney, was installed in the Diocese of Gaylord as the third bishop on January 28, 1990. The oldest child of a very religious family, Bishop Cooney has spent his life learning the way of and serving the Lord. Bishop Cooney attended the Sacred Heart Seminary College of Detroit and the Gregorian University in Rome, studying philosophy and theology. After returning to Detroit from Rome Bishop Cooney decided to pursue his love for liturgy and entered the University of Notre Dame to pursue a graduate degree in liturgical research. Under Bishop Cooney's care, the diocese has grown stronger through the hard work and dedication of the priests, nuns, secretariats, and most importantly, the lay members. We see the formation of the first Diocesan Pastoral Council in 1993 as an example of this dedication. Made up of clergy, religious, lay men and women from all over the Diocese, the council meets with the Bishop several times a year to discuss issues affecting the Church. Today the Diocese of Gaylord has grown to include 87,000 Roman Catholics, 75 priests, and 82 parishes. On October 5, 1996, the Fifth Annual Diocesan Conference will be held with the theme ``Remember and Re-membering'' to discuss ways to strengthen the church by involving members who have slipped away and by introducing the church to new members. Following the conference there will be a youth rally. The goal of the rally, at which 350 teens are expected, is to strengthen the membership of a younger generation to keep the church strong in the future. On July 21, 1996, the Diocesan Liturgical Celebration will be held at St. Mary Cathedral in Gaylord. Among those attending will be Cardinal Szoka and Bishop Rose, the Apostolic Pro-Nuncio to the United States, Agostino Cacciavillan, Cardinal Adam Maida of the Archdiocese of Detroit, a number of bishops and priests from Michigan and Ohio and nearly 2,000 members from the 82 parishes invited. Mr. Speaker, the last 25 years have been a time for growth and discovery for the Diocese of Gaylord. The clergy and congregations of the 82 parishes in northern Michigan have come together to make this new diocese a place of prayer, hope, and faith. The diocese has come to be a community in which love and fellowship is witnessed on a daily basis. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Catholic community and the entire Nation, I would like to congratulate the Diocese of Gaylord on 25 glorious years.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, if I may, after I make my statement I ask unanimous consent that any remaining time I have be controlled by the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Dingell].

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the subject of this motion to instruct is critical to the success of this conference. On June 25, 1996, I came to the floor prepared to unequivocally support a bill that protects the environment and provides needed flexibility for local governments. I was very concerned to learn that $375 million in earmarks were added to the agreed upon bi-partisan bill. I introduced into the Record the administration's position on these earmarks. The administration position states, ``The administration * * * strongly opposes the provisions added in title V which would jeopardize public health and undermine the SRF by limiting states' flexibility to prioritize project funding.'' In addition to inserting this statement, I engaged the gentleman from New York, the chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee in a colloquy on this issue. He pledged to maintain the 75-percent trigger in the final conference report. By supporting this motion, the Members of the House will show their agreement with the gentleman from New York. Please do not let an urgent bill like the Safe Drinking Water Act fall prey to backroom pork politics. I urge the Members of the House to support this motion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I offer a motion to instruct.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, it is an honor for me to bring to the attention of this body and the entire Nation the retirement of Robert C. Neldberg. A native of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Mr. Neldberg has been chief executive officer and administrator of the Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, MI, since October 1973. After studies at Northern Michigan University and in the St. Louis' University Hospital Executive Development Program, Mr. Neldberg began his administrative career in August 1968 when he was hired as the director of personnel and public relations at St. Luke's Hospital, Marquette, MI. After 3\1/2\ years he was promoted to assistant administrator for administrative affairs. After guiding Marquette and the medical community through the successful merger of St. Luke's and St. Mary's Hospitals, Mr. Neldberg was promoted to his current position of chief executive officer/administrator at the newly created Marquette General Hospital. Mr. Neldberg's drive and dedication nurtured Marquette General from a $6 million revenue operation to a regional medical center with a yearly revenue of $205 million with 2,350 employees and 250 physicians on staff. Mr. Neldberg is leaving a distinguished medical and civil career. He is responsible for sheparding the 14 Upper Peninsula hospitals together to form a medical networking partnership led by Marquette General. In 1983, he received the prestigious Homminga Award, presented by the Michigan Hospital Association, signifying the most outstanding hospital administrator in Michigan. In 1991, Mr. Neldberg was named Northern Michigan University's Citizen of the Year. Included in his community service are his positions as a former board member of the Michigan Hospital Association, and former chairman of the United Funds Drive of Iron Mountain/Kingsford and Marquette. Despite his retirement, Mr. Neldberg will remain active in Michigan's medical arena. Governor John Engler named him to the Board of Medicine for the term that began on March 1, 1996 and continues through 1999. Robert Neldberg is currently president of the Upper Peninsula Health Care Network and the Upper Peninsula Health Education Corporation. Mr. Neldberg and his wife, Monica Ann Gunville-Neldberg, have four children and eight grandchildren and belong to St. Peter's Cathedral in Marquette. He is also a member of Marquette's Rotary Club and a past president of the Jaycees Organization. Mr. Neldberg has been politically active as chairman of the Marquette County Republican Party and vice chairman of the District Republican Party. Although his career with Marquette General Hospital is coming to a close, I know Mr. Neldberg will continue to be a great asset both to his own community and Michigan's medical community. Through his dedication to his profession and through his volunteer efforts, Mr. Neldberg represents the very best of our free society. He has made his life his work, and his community is better for the effort. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Upper Peninsula and the entire State of Michigan, I would like to congratulate Mr. Robert Neldberg on his retirement.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to bring to the attention of this body, and the Nation, the 125th anniversary of the official founding of Kalkaska County, MI. In celebrating this occasion, I would like to take the opportunity to look back upon those years. In 1855, William Copeland purchased a large tract of land, presently found between Round Lake and M-72 within what is now the Kalkaska County borders. After Mr. Copeland's purchase, a wave of settlers were brought in to clear trees for farms and orchards. This area was first known as Wabassee. Before becoming its own county, Kalkaska was part of Grand Traverse, Antrim and Crawford Counties. It was not until 1843 that the Wabassee area became known as Kalkaska County. In 1871, Kalkaska County residents officially organized themselves. The Village of Kalkaska became the county seat and was incorporated in 1887. During the late 19th century, Kalkaska County became a magnet for lumberjacks, offering both success and failure to those who sought jobs. While some parts of Kalkaska County enjoyed economic booms, 13 other settlements closed down. A strong timber trade would remain until 1920, when the county's population leveled off at 5,570 people. The timber industry spurred the development of railroads to transport the timber. From farming to timber to railroads, an economic base for Kalkaska's development was established. Kalkaska County also benefited economically from the spirit of mechanical innovation. Residents, such as Elmer Johnson, tinkered with the internal combustion engine, creating a few automobile prototypes in his day. One of these ``Elmers'' is currently displayed at the Kalkaska County Historical Museum. Aviation was also subjected to innovation Kalkaska-style. Around the turn of the century, W.C. Freeman announced that he had built a flying machine and was attempting a trial flight. Unfortunately, no record exists of the success or failure of Mr. Freeman's attempt. During this period of timber and innovation, Kalkaska encountered several citywide fires which leveled parts of the city. Some of the more destructive and memorable fires occurred in 1908 and 1910. But the most destructive fire in Kalkaska County occurred in 1921, when the central portion of the village of South Boardman burned to the ground. This part of South Boardman has never been rebuilt. Mr. Speaker, Kalkaska County, MI, has had wonderful and varied experiences throughout its 125-year existence. Its development has mirrored much of northern Michigan's and on behalf of the State of Michigan and its people, I commend both past and present county and community leaders and wish Kalkaska a successful celebration and best wishes for a successful future.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word. Mr. Chairman, I seek to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Wolf], chairman of the Subcommittee on Transportation of the Committee on Appropriations. Due to an inadvertent error, the table on page 149 in the committee report indicates that funds allocated for Kalkaska, MI, are to be used for buses. Will the gentleman agree that the committee in fact intended that the funds be used for an intermodal facility?

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from Virginia.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, it is indeed, an honor for me to bring to the attention of the U.S. House of Representatives and this Nation the celebration of 50 years of devotion to the Sisters of Mercy of Sister Katherine Murphy. The parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City, MI, the community, her religious order, and the Church, as a whole, have been blessed by her long and dedicated service. This Sunday, June 30, 1996, Sister Katherine will be the guest of honor at a parish dinner. Born in Detroit, MI, on March 8, 1930, Sister Katherine was the only child of Mae Florence (Henry) and Daniel Murphy. As Sister Katherine's life demonstrates, the Irish heritage is strong in faith and family. Not long after Sister Katherine's birth, the family moved to Dearborn, MI, where she was enrolled at the Sacred Heart School through the ninth grade. Sacred Heart School was staffed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and in the eighth grade she was first exposed to the idea of serving and living her Catholic faith. Even at this young age, Katherine was confident of what she wanted to do with her life and entered Our Lady of Mercy Academy, on September 8, 1946. After completing her studies at the academy, Katherine Murphy was received into the Order of Sisters of Mercy on March 12, 1947, at the age of 17. Sister Katherine accepted the name of Sister Mary Brendan in honor of the patron saint of her father's hometown of Killorglin, County Kerry, Ireland. She professed her final vows on August 16, 1952, and continued her education by completing her bachelor's of arts degree from Mercy College in Detroit; then a masters of arts degree from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, WI; and finally a degree in pastoral ministry from Seattle University in Seattle, WA. Although not known to possess a strong desire to teach, Sister Mary Brendan accepted her first teaching assignment at the second grade class in Berkley, MI and discovered that she truly had a great love for teaching young children. For the next 31 years, Sister Katherine taught in the primary grades from 1949 until 1980. During that period, Sister Katherine's assignments included the Immaculate Conception School in Traverse City in 1955, 1968, and again in 1971. As changes occurred in the religious orders, in 1969, Sister Mary Brendan took back her own name and has since been known as Sister Katherine. On August 1, 1981, she began her ministry at St. Francis Parish in Traverse City with Father Thomas Neis. As Sister Katherine's ministry continues at St. Francis, she has served with Father Ron Gronowski and with Father Jim Gardiner. Father Gardiner recently bestowed upon Sister Katherine the title of Pastoral Associate at St. Francis Parish. As an active and integral member of the St. Francis Parish staff, Sister Katherine's current duties include directing the OCIA formation program, overseeing the altar servers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers for the parish and for nursing homes. She is also chairperson of the liturgy commission, a member of the evangelical team and serves on the Dioceasan Pastoral Council. In addition to her official duties, Sister Katherine has also found time to travel, visiting Ireland, the Holy Land, Manila, and traveling throughout Europe and several cities across the United States. Mr. Speaker, Sister Katherine has devoted her life to the Catholic Church through her order, the Sisters of Mercy for half a century. She has provided education, counsel, comfort, and spiritual guidance to so many who have had the privilege of knowing her. There is a special bond between Sister Katherine, the Traverse City community and St. Francis Parish. When Jesus told Sister Katherine to ``Come, follow Me,'' 50 years ago, scripture promised: And everyone who has left house, . . . father or mother . . . for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting.'' Matt 19:20 All of us in the Traverse City community and especially here at St. Francis Parish, wish to be among the hundredfold who count as part of Sister Katherine's family and ministry. Sister Katherine's devotion, faith, and life serves as an everlasting example to us all. On behalf of the Traverse City community, Michigan's First Congressional District, and the State of Michigan, I congratulate and extend best wishes to Sister Katherine Murphy on her lifetime of accomplishments, devotion and faith. Bart Stupak Member of Congress

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Madam Speaker, the Los Angeles Times said Gingrich politics got boosts from nonprofits. GOPAC's use of six tax-exempt agencies raises questions by legal experts and special counsel. Questions by legal experts and special counsel. With all due respect to the majority leader, this House is under a cloud of suspicion that does not seem to go away because of the actions of the Speaker and GOPAC. As a former police officer, I just cannot understand why the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct has failed to investigate and has failed to refer this matter to a special prosecutor. Take the totality of the circumstance, the six investigations, and send it to the independent counsel. It is foolish for politicians to be investigating politicians. Let us get it to the independent counsel, let us get to the bottom of these questions by legal experts and other specialists in the field and get it off this floor. Get the cloud off our head. Move it to the independent counsel.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I include for the Record this statement of administration policy. The statement referred to is as follows: Statement of Administration Policy h.r. 3604--safe drinking water act amendments of 1995 The Administration strongly supports H.R. 3604 as reported by the House Commerce Committee. Ensuring the safety of the Nation's drinking water is one of the Administration's top environmental priorities. H.R. 3604, which is the result of a bipartisan effort, reflects the Administration's recommendations for strengthening public health protections by: (1) establishing a State Revolving Fund (SRF) to subsidize community efforts to improve drinking water safety; (2) providing a flexible framework to promote the protection of drinking water sources; (3) providing responsible regulatory reforms including the appropriate use of cost-benefit analysis in standards setting; and (4) strengthening State programs for improving the capability of water systems to provide safe water. These provisions coupled with the bill's improved consumer awareness provisions will help meet the challenge of providing safe and affordable drinking water. The Administration, however, strongly opposes the provisions added in Title V which jeopardize public health and undermine the SRF by limiting the States' flexibility to prioritize project funding. Furthermore, the Administration recommends that H.R. 3604 be modified in conference to minimize the number of earmarks on State Revolving Funds. The bill's current level of Fund set-asides for designated activities would limit the availability of funds needed for a permanent revolving fund. The Administration may also propose several technical corrections in conference.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, my question to the gentleman from New York is, there have been a lot of questions about the State revolving loan fund. The gentleman from California [Mr. Waxman] has pointed out a number of parts about it. I would ask the gentleman from New York, can we agree and promise the American people and Members of this body that when it goes to the conference committee, that the 57-percent trigger that protects the State revolving loan fund will stay in there? Because without that trigger, this thing becomes more a pork barrel project than what has been added to it. The only way to protect this bill and those 375 earmarks that are there is that we have some protection that that 75 trigger remains in. I know the gentleman will be in the conference committee. Can he promise that to the Members and the American people?

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Speaker, I sit on the Subcommittee on Health and Environment of the Committee on Commerce, and this bill has been held up repeatedly as an example of bipartisanship. That is the way it started. That is the way it started. It went through the Senate 99 to nothing. It went through our full committee 44 to nothing. Then, a funny thing happened as it came over here. There are 375 pages that have been added, that no one has had a chance to see. I ask every Member, have they read the 375 pages? No, they have not. They are going to vote on something they have never read, they have never seen, we have never had a hearing on, we never had a chance to debate. I worked long and hard with the Members on this bill. We had a good bill. It has now gone down the drain. Take a look at it. Title V, go to title V. That is where all the changes are. This bill was a good bill. Title V will now jeopardize the public health, and I believe it will undermine the State revolving fund by limiting the States' flexibility to prioritize. That flexibility we have heard about for the last 2 years, giving it back to the States, has just gone out the window in the last 24 hours. There is no flexibility. Mr. Speaker, the bill at the current level of funding, with the set- asides for designated, we do not want to say earmarked projects, let us call them designated activities, continue to limit the availability of funds needed for a permanent revolving fund. We worked so hard to get the money in there, the State revolving fund, the technical assistance program with the EPA. It was all in here to help areas, small areas like mine in northern Michigan.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Chairman, I thank the ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage in a colloquy with the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Lewis], chairman of the committee. First of all, I want to thank both the chairman and the ranking member, the gentleman from Ohio, for including language in the committee report highlighting the situation that exists in my district in the D.J. Jacobetti home for veterans located in Marquette, MI. As Members know, I testified before the chairman's subcommittee last month on a serious situation at the Jacobetti Center due to the antiquated and undependable boiler and heating systems. Over the past few winters veterans residing at the Jacobetti home have had to be moved from their rooms because the temperature in their rooms would often drop to as low as 40 degrees. It is almost ironic that the same veterans who nearly froze during World War II will now be virtually frozen out of their rooms at a veterans' home. This is no way to treat our country's veterans. With outside temperatures in my district which can drop as low as 30 degrees to 40 degrees below zero during winter in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, and snow levels at times exceeding 300 inches of snow in a season, I thank our colleagues and I thank them for understanding the need to make these badly needed repairs at the Jacobetti State Veterans Home a priority project. Clearly, such situations occurring year after year present a serious problem when it comes to the health and safety of veterans who reside at this home. I am pleased that funding for this fiscal year 1997 calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to place projects involving health and safety concerns on a higher priority. This change in priority is the right thing to do for countless numbers of veterans. I am also pleased with the level of funding being provided, over $47 million, which is equal to the funding provided in fiscal year 1996 for State extended home care construction. I would say to the gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis] that I seek the support of his panel in working with Secretary Jesse Brown and the authorizing committee in assuring that the VA's review of State extended medical care facilities follow through on the mandate contained in this funding measure. I am asking for or the support of the chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis], and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], the ranking member, in working with Secretary Brown and the authorizing committee to assure that the VA's follow through on this.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from California.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Lewis].

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Chairman, reclaiming my time, I thank the both the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Yates] and the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Regula] for their acceptance and for helping us out. Mr. Chairman, I would like to engage the gentleman from Ohio in a colloquy about this. I want to thank my friend fro Ohio, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Interior, for accepting this amendment. Due to the rules of the House, I could not offer this amendment on another part of the proposal that I have, and that proposal would allow the Park Service to expend funds to upgrade the existing road, H-58, which I spoke of. I am currently working with the Committee on Resources to provide for that authority. I would hope, and would ask, the gentleman from Ohio would be willing to work with me in providing funding for this much-needed upgrade of H-58.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from Illinois.

Mr. STUPAK. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio.

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment, No. 32, as printed in the Record. This amendment is a win-win situation which saves the Government and taxpayers $13 million while also saving precious environmental resources. Since we have been debating this bill for quite a while, and this is hopefully a noncontroversial amendment, and I believe it is, I will be brief. When the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore was created in 1966, Congress adopted a provision requiring the National Park Service to build a new road through the park along the lake. Such a road would destroy hundreds of beautiful acres of forest, fauna, and precious fragile ecosystem while costing taxpayers an estimated $13 million. Since 1966, park visitors have been using Alger County Road H-58, which runs through the eastern side of the park and skirts around to the south and west of the park. I have introduced this legislation and this amendment, if you will, to delete the mandate for the Park Service to build a new road through the park. Instead, I would ask that the Park Service be allowed up upgrade the existing county road, H-58, which runs through part of the park and currently provides adequate access for all park visitors. This proposal has the support of both local officials and the National Parks and Conservation Association. However, until we can secure passage of this legislation, it is important to prevent the Park Service from moving forward with plans to build a totally unnecessary road at a cost of $13 million and also harm our environment. Mr. Chairman, I am joined by the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. Ehlers] who has helped me on this legislation. I regret he is not on the floor at this time.

Mr. STUPAK

Mr. STUPAK. Mr. Speaker, and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, it is an honor for me to bring to the attention of the House of Representatives and the Nation that Champion, Inc. of Iron Mountain, MI, is celebrating 75 years of service to the upper peninsula and the Nation on June 21, 1996. Medio Bacco, an immigrant road-builder opened the doors of Champion Gravel Co. on June 21, 1921. Through the hard work and dedication of Mr. Bacco, his nephew Louis Verrette, and Louis' son, William Verrette, Champion Gravel Co. has become Champion, Inc. and is known today as one of the most successful gravel, redimix, and construction companies in the State of Michigan. Medio Bacco founded Champion 75 years ago in Iron Mountain, where its headquarters are still located today. In 1927, Mr. Bacco's 14-year-old nephew, Louis Verrette came to him looking for a summer job and was assigned the position of assistant timekeeper for a paving job being completed from the Sturgeon River bridge to the Delta County line. He continued working for his uncle during his summer vacations until he graduated from Michigan Technological Institute in 1934. Upon graduation Louis joined Champion's Service & Supply Co., located where Champion's Lake Shore Engineering Co., presently stands. After 8 years at the Service & Supply Co., Louis Verrette was called upon to serve his country in World War II. When the war ended, Lt. Col. Louis Verrette returned to his family in Iron Mountain and to Champion where he took over as president. Medio Bacco retired and became chairman of the board. Champion Gravel Co. saw many changes when Louis Verrette took hold of the reins. On December 6, 1945, Champion Gravel Co. became Champion, Inc. Louis began touring Champion's various gravel plants but was unhappy with their conditions. He vowed to make the necessary improvements to keep the plants producing to capacity. With this improvement underway, Louis Verrette was able to concentrate on expanding the dimensions of the company by developing projects aimed at keeping Champion busy during the winter months when road construction was not possible. As a result, Champion began providing services and supplies to iron and copper mines throughout Michigan and Minnesota. As Champion grew so did the size of its projects. Throughout the 1950's and 1960's, Champion, Inc. was involved with construction of several military installations throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Both Kincheloe Air Force Base and K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base owe thanks to Champion for many of their buildings. Champion has also been instrumental in the construction of the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie and most universities constructed or expanded in the last 75 years signed their construction contracts with Champion, Inc. In 1950 Medio Bacco divested himself of Champion stock, making Louis Verrette chief stockholder. A new waive of opportunities met the company during the 1960's as nuclear construction developed. Cement used for nuclear plants had to meet higher standards than general cement, and Champion's concrete made the grade. The company continued to build and service various nuclear projects across the Nation until 1984. In 1971, Louis Verrette became chairman of the board and his son, William Verrette, replaced him as president. Champion continued to grow under Bill's supervision. In 1989 and 1990, Champion acquired Herman Gundlach, Co. of Houghton, MI, and Charter, Inc. of Ishpeming respectively. These latest acquisitions have strengthened Champion both financially and geographically. Champion, Inc. currently has satellite offices throughout Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Tennessee. The 75th anniversary celebration being held on June 20 and 21, 1996, is a tribute to Champion's many employees, suppliers, customers, and friends. In reflecting on the last 75 years William Verrette recognizes the company's success is owed to ``so many good people * * * our managers, office staff, field personnel, customers, and friends.'' Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend Champion, Inc. on their 75th anniversary for the hard work and dedication they have shown the people of Michigan and the Nation. I am pleased that Michigan counts the Verette family as one of our most outstanding families, and that I can count on them as personal friends.