Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, would like to pay tribute today to Doug Bovin, a former representative to the Michigan House of Representatives from the 108th District, which is comprised of three counties in my congressional district.

First elected to the House in 1998, Doug Bovin has just concluded his service in that body after seeking election to the Michigan State Senate. Doug has represented both the community where I grew up and the community where I and my family now live.

Born August 24, 1944, Doug earned bachelor and master degrees in business administration from Northern Michigan University. He and his wife, Bonnie, have two children. Doug has been a business owner and a high school instructor and coach in addition to his lengthy career in public service.

Prior to being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, Doug served as chair of the Delta County Board of Commissioners for 16 years and 9 years on the Gladstone city council, including 4 years as mayor.

With Doug's longtime service in county government came leadership positions in various organizations, including terms as president of the Michigan Association of Counties and the National Association of Counties. As president of the Michigan Association of Counties, Doug had the opportunity to introduce President Bill Clinton, when Mr. Clinton spoke to members of the association.

Doug represented the same district that I represented in the Michigan House of Representatives. Having made the lengthy drive back and forth from Lansing to the central Upper Peninsula on a weekly basis while a State representative, I know the long solitary hours of driving Doug put in to represent the 108th District. To emphasize what a long drive it really is, you feel Eke you are close to home when you get across the Mackinac Bridge on your way back to the district, even though there are still over 100 miles to go.

Doug diligently represented the men and women of Delta, Menominee, and Dickinson Counties in Lansing.

In addition to working as an elected official, a business owner and an educator, Doug served as Executive Director of Operation Action U.P. Given his experience and dedication, I am certain that Doug will find a way to continue to serve the residents of the Upper Peninsula.

Mr. Speaker, Doug's last day as a State representative was January 2, 2003. Doug is too young a man for retirement and I am certain that he will find a way to continue to serve the residents of northern Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting Doug Bovin, a public servant who has spent much of his life in service to others.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to the coaches, players, and managers of the 2002 Negaunee High School Miners football team, in recognition of winning the Michigan Division 6 state football championship on November 29, 2002 at the Silverdome in Pontiac. The 2002 title was the Miners' first ever state football championship!

Every high school football team in Michigan begins practices with ``two a days'' under the sweltering August sun with hopes of making it to the Silverdome and winning a state championship. Only one of these schools in every division will actually realize their title hopes.

The valuable traits of teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship are learned through participation in athletics. In addition to instilling these traits, the hard work and dedication of the coaches, players, and managers paid off with a state championship this season for the Negaunee Miners.

Hard work and dedication are hallmarks of the men and women of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The residents of the City of Negaunee, Marquette County, and the entire Upper Peninsula are proud of the accomplishments of the Negaunee High School Miners state football championship team.

Defeating Hopkins High School 28-20 in an exciting overtime thriller, capped a 13 and I season for the Miners. The Miners also captured a 2002 Mid-Peninsula conference championship.

The Miners began their march to the state championship with a hard fought 14-12 victory over rival Ishpeming High School. A 20-6 win over Suttons Bay High School gave the Miners a Division 6 Region 1 District 2 crown. The Miners went on to defeat Iron Mountain 28-17, for the Division 6 Region I championship and a berth in the Division 6 state semi-finals. A close 32-28 win over Whittemore-Prescott High School sent the Miners downstate for the championship game against Hopkins High School.

Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment to recognize every person involved in the Negaunee High School Miners' Division 6 state football championship.

Head Coach, Paul Jacobson, and assistant coaches: Kevin Jacobson, Mark Marana, and Dick Koski, provided the leadership and discipline.

Team members include: Donald Barr, John Bauman, Zack Brintlinger, Doug Byykkonen, David Cain, Dan Champion, Luke Cody, Cory Cronkright, Adam Croschere, David Echelbarger, Eric Faulkner, Eric Faust, Chris Giletto, Ben Grossman, Ken Heikklla, Andy Hill, Bryan Hill, Randy Howe, Cory Jandron, Eric Jarvi, Jack Jarvi, Jesse Jezek, Bob Jurasin, Jeremy King, Josh LaBelle, Steve LaJoie, Kyle Lander, Eric Larson, Ryan Leaf, Brian Mattice, John O'Neill, Shaun Pynnonen, Josh Rich, Eric Roberts, Jake Skewis, Eric Smock, David Speaker, Randy Sundell, Nick Thompson, Dillan Thome, and Josh Wernholm.

Team managers were Jacob Jandron and Mario Marana.

Mr. Speaker, I would also like to recognize the efforts of the Negaunee High School cheerleading team and its coaches who provided invaluable support to the Miners football team throughout the championship season.

Cheer Coach, Karen Saari, assistant coach Kathy DelAngelo and volunteer coaches Diane Faust and Amy Pringle.

Cheerleaders: Colleen Argall, Andraya Mattila, Brittany Hewitt, Ashley Nault, Tashina Kallionen, Kayla Pizzala, Ashley Kangas, Brittany Rice, Stacy Kemper, and Amber Wetton.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting the coaches, players, managers and supporters of the 2002 Negaunee High School Miners-Division 6 Michigan state football championship team.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to pay tribute today to Don Koivisto, a former senator in the Michigan State Senate from the 38th Senate District, which is comprised of ten counties in my congressional district.

First elected to the Senate in 1990, Don Koivisto has just concluded his service in that body because of the Michigan term limits law. This law was enacted at the will of the voters of Michigan, but I must confess that I believe the law turns effective public servants out of office. Don has represented both the community where I grew up and the community where I and my family now live.

Born August 18, 1949 in Bessemer, Don earned a bachelors degree in political science from Central Michigan University. Don and his wife, Pam, have four children.

Prior to his twelve years in the Michigan State Senate, Don served three consecutive 2 year terms in the Michigan House of Representatives after first being elected to the House in 1980. In addition to his service in the Michigan legislature, Don has been a political consultant to former Michigan House Speaker Lewis Dodak and former Michigan State Representative Michael Griffin.

Don is a former school board member and served as a high school teacher and basketball coach. He also worked as a Ontonagon County Juvenile Officer.

It should be clear from my remarks, Mr. Speaker, that Don Koivisto has spent much of his adult life in public service.

Mr. Speaker, Don's last day as a state senator was January 2, 2003. Don is too young a man for retirement and I am certain that he will find a way to continue to serve the residents of Michigan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting Don Koivisto, a public servant who has spent much of his life working for the betterment of others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to an individual, who in addition to a long and distinguished career in law enforcement and teaching, has dedicated many thousands of hours to community service in northern Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Ralph Soffredine of Traverse City, Michigan.

Ralph Soffredine has dedicated his life to education, law enforcement, community service and teaching. His perseverence and accomplishments have been an inspiration to every one who has met Ralph.

Born in Detroit, Michigan on January 11, 1937, he graduated from Sandusky High School, in Sandusky, Michigan in 1959. Nearly thirty six years ago he married Pam on March 21, 1967 and the couple raised six children: Maureen, Pete, Patrick, Annie, Joseph, and Paula. Ralph and Pam also have nine grandchildren.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force from September 1954 until receiving an honorable discharge as an Airman First Class in March 1958, he continued his academic studies and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in science from Central Michigan University, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, in June of 1966, While at Central he had a distinguished athletic career as a football player and was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in October 2001.

A continuing quest for education led Ralph to earn a Masters of Arts degree in community administration from Eastern Michigan University, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1970. In addition to his academic work towards two degrees, Ralph is a 1985 graduate of the ``Police Staff and Command School'' at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois and a 1991 graduate of the FBI National Academy, in Quantico, Virginia.

Ralph began his criminal justice career in 1966 as a police officer in the Flint Police Department. He then moved to the Grand Blanc Township Police Department, where he attained the rank of captain. The Ishpeming Police Department recognized his talents and named Ralph chief in June of 1976. He later served as chief of the Menominee Police Department. He then moved downstate and took the position of director of law enforcement with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department.

Ralph left the Grand Traverse County Sheriffs Department to become chief of the Traverse City Police Department in 1981. Ten years later, Traverse City added the duties of fire chief to Ralph's responsibilities.

According to Ralph one of his major accomplishments as police chief was bringing community policing to Traverse City. I had the pleasure of working with Ralph in introducing the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to the Traverse City area.

Having an advanced degree, Ralph has taught criminal justice courses at many institutions of higher learning in the United States and abroad. In May of 1998 he spent five weeks in the Ukraine, working under the auspices of the Ukraine Militia, as an adjunct professor teaching and facilitating law enforcement classes to visiting U.S. students from the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice. Closer to home, Ralph has taught criminal justice courses at many colleges and universities including: Northern Michigan University; Northwestern Michigan College; Northwestern University; Michigan State University; and his alma maters, Central Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University.

Showing his dedication to law enforcement beyond his administrative positions, Ralph has been involved in many related issues such as county jail program development, police school liaison programs, drug enforcement, crime prevention, police/fire training, internal investigation, chief contract negotiation, grievance and discipline, unification and consolidation of police departments, central dispatch, and records. Having a wide range of life experiences beyond law enforcement, Ralph has advised local officials on grants, personnel, management reorganization, community organization, and city, township and county budgeting.

Ralph's community service goes beyond his law enforcement and teaching duties. He currently serves as chairman of the Grand Traverse County Family Independence Agency, the Camp Grayling Regional Training Facility, and The Pavilion's board. Showing his admirable community service, he serves on many other committees and boards including: the Police School Liaison Committee, Northflight Board of Directors, Munson Board of Directors, Women Resource Center Board of Directors, the Traverse City Planning Commission, and the Traverse City Area Public School Board of Education.

He has served as president of Grand Traverse Families in Action and as a member of the Michigan Justice Training Commission.

Mr. Speaker, Ralph Soffredine's wide ranging law enforcement, teaching and community service activities are admirable and amazing. Ralph and Pam Soffredine have been great assets to their chosen careers, their fellow workers, and their community. I am proud to call Ralph and Pam Soffredine, friends of mine.

Mr. Speaker, Ralph's last day as Chief of the Traverse City Police Department is January 24, 2003 and on January 25, 2003 there will be a retirement dinner and program for him at the Park Place Hotel in Traverse City, Michigan.

Retirement will not slow Ralph at all. He will continue teaching criminal justice courses and training for power lifting competitions, an appropriate hobby for an individual who has shouldered so many duties throughout his life.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my House colleagues to join me in saluting Ralph Soffredine, a great person who has spent his life in service to others.