The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MILTON BERGERON, A MAN OF HEART AND SOIL” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E76 on Jan. 9, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MILTON BERGERON, A MAN OF HEART AND SOIL
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HON. JAMES A. BARCIA
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Thursday, January 9, 1997
Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Milton Bergeron, who successfully combined teaching and conservation practices, his two passions, to make an important impact on the conservation efforts in Arenac County.
Milton is retiring from the Arenac Soil Conservation District Board after serving for 13 terms or 39 years. Elected to the Arenac Soil Conservation District Board in 1958, Milton has held the position of chairman, vice chair, secretary, and treasurer. While serving on the board, he taught and shared his knowledge of conservation with farmers, students, and teachers.
Born in Sterling, MI, Milton began his career in Holly, MI. he moved to Clintonville where he taught at School House Lake before becoming the principal of Waterford. He enjoyed teaching and working with young people, but his real love was farming. He bought his first 40 acre parcel and never stopped teaching, by sharing with other farmers conservation practices, he utilized in his own farming operation.
He founded an education program for the Arenac Conservation Board to help young people understand the importance of preserving high quality water and soil. Meeting with several teachers in the area, they started programs such as the annual poster contest now in its 30th year, the annual Arbor Day celebrations and taking fifth graders on an annual tour since the early 1970's.
Milton's dual passion for education and conservation fueled him to work with local teachers and the Department of Agriculture to sponsor a soil judging contest for high school students. Also wanting to recognize the teachers who were promoting conservation efforts in their classrooms, Milton presented a teacher of the year award at the district's annual meeting. Although Milton will continue to farm part time and participate in 4-H, church and community service.
Milton could not have been such an integral part of educating and promoting conservation efforts without the support of his wife, Lela, who he married in 1940 and his son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Mary Bergeron and his daughter and son-in-law, Ronella and Ron Berlinski.
Mr. Speaker, as you can see, Milton is a leader in his field--
educating people of all ages on the importance of conservation efforts. His generous contributions over the years should be applauded and I commend Milton Bergeron for his many accomplishments.
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