[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13380-S13381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       MICKELSON WETLAND MEMORIAL

  Mr. PRESSLER. Mr. President, nearly 2\1/2\ years have passed since 
South Dakota Gov. George S. Mickelson and eight distinguished South 
Dakota businessmen were killed tragically when their small aircraft 
crashed near Dubuque, IA. During this time, South Dakotans have grieved 
together over the loss of the crash victims. They are greatly missed.
  Dealing with the loss of these prominent citizens has not been easy. 
Yet, the people of South Dakota have been strong. They have channeled 
their sorrow into great displays of respect and affection for the crash 
victims. Memorials have been built, statues erected, scholarships 
funded, and schools renamed--all in honor of the nine who perished in 
the fiery crash. I am proud of South Dakotans.
  Last Saturday, September 9, a marsh near Estelline, SD, was dedicated 
in memory of Governor Mickelson, an avid geese hunter. Commissioned to 
paint an image of the Mickelson Wetland Memorial, Mark Anderson, a 
South Dakota wildlife artist, created a poignant image of the late 
Governor 

[[Page S 13381]]
and the marsh. These tributes are powerful. They are reminders of the 
admiration and respect South Dakotans hold for the crash victims. They 
are reminders of the lives--not the deaths--of nine fellow South 
Dakotans. They are reminders of how their lives gave our lives and our 
State meaning and fulfillment.
  Kevin Woster of the Sioux Falls, SD, Argus Leader, recently wrote an 
article describing the painting Mark Anderson completed of the wetland 
memorial. I ask unanimous consent that this article be printed in the 
Record at the conclusion of my remarks. It is unfortunate that my 
schedule prevented my wife Harriet and me from being at last Saturday's 
dedication. Our thoughts and prayers certainly were with Linda 
Mickelson and the families and friends of George Mickelson on that 
special day. The dedication of the marsh and Mark Anderson's work are a 
fitting tribute to a great South Dakotan who dedicated his life to a 
State and a people he loved.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

        [From the Sioux Falls, SD, Argus Leader, Sept. 9, 1995]

                   Mickelson Marsh's Dedication Today

                           (By Kevin Woster)

       Sioux Falls wildlife artist Mark Anderson will leave his 
     mark today on dedication ceremonies for a wetland memorial to 
     the late Gov. George Mickelson.
       Anderson, 37, was commissioned by Mickelson friends to do a 
     painting of the wetland, including an image of Mickelson.
       The painting shows the marsh 3 miles west of Estelline with 
     a flock of Canada geese hovering above the water.
       That was the easy part for Anderson, who has been painting 
     wildlife for 15 years. But he struggled with Mickelson's 
     image.
       ``It was really challenging, because this was the first 
     time I ever attempted a portrait,'' the self-taught artist 
     said.
       ``And I wanted this one to be right.''
       It turned out it wasn't right the first time around. When 
     Anderson showed the painting to Mickelson's wife, Linda, and 
     son, Mark, they thought the marsh and geese were perfect.
       But the image of Mickelson wasn't quite right.
       ``You hate to tell somebody that, but I was honest with him 
     and so was Mom,'' Mark Mickelson said.
       ``He didn't have a very good print of Dad to work with in 
     the first place.''
       So Linda Mickelson provided photographs that helped 
     Anderson more clearly capture her husband. And he finally 
     produced an almost-ghostly image of the late governor wearing 
     a baseball cap that reads ``Top Gov.''
       Mickelson wore the hat at his annual governor's hunt and 
     other outdoor events.
       ``When I brought it back, Mark said, `That's Dad.' And I 
     knew I had it,'' Anderson said.
       Mark Mickelson agreed.
       ``He nailed it the second time. It's quite a tribute to a 
     wildlife artist to do such a good job on a portrait.''
       A small version of the painting is included in the brochure 
     for today's dedication.
       And the Mickelson Wetland Memorial Committee paid for 175 
     prints, which will be signed by Anderson and given to major 
     donors to the wetland project.
       Committee members gave the original painting to Linda 
     Mickelson, Friday night.
       Mark Mickelson said the painting reflects the essence of 
     the memorial.
       ``He captured the spirit of the marsh,'' mark Mickelson 
     said.
       ``And he captured the spirit of Dad's friends, who really 
     were the impetus behind the project.''

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