[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 163 (Friday, October 20, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S15379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              IAN DAVIDSON

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, it is with great respect and admiration 
that I rise today to congratulate a friend, Montana businessman Ian 
Davidson. As company president and CEO of D.A. Davidson & Co. [DADCO], 
a financial services company, Ian has ridden a wave of success in a 
field where he has dared to be different. Recently, the Billings 
Gazette honored Ian in a tribute to his tragedy and success. I would 
like to do the same.
  It has been almost a year since the D.A. Davidson corporate plane 
crashed, killing three of the company's top executives. On November, 8, 
1994, Eugene Lewis, Robert Braggs, and Donald Knutson died along with 
pilot Harold Graf in what Ian described as ``the worst tragedy of his 
life.'' But the Great Falls based company has made great leaps in the 
past year. New leaders have been assigned to the vacated positions, and 
despite the obvious grief experienced by the company and community, 
1995 has been a tremendous year for DADCO. In addition to adding 
between 65 and 70 new employees since the beginning of the year, DADCO 
boasts more than 100,000 accounts in the Northern Rockies and Pacific 
Northwest.
  Based on record earnings in the last 2 years and total capital of 
more than $31.5 million, DADCO is ranked among the top 60 firms 
operating outside New York City. Recognition that solidifies its 
corporate slogan--where ``Wall Street Meets the Rockies.''
  Beyond this, while Ian would be the first to tell you that Montana 
has been good to him, he has also been very good to Montana. He runs a 
business that gives a lot back to our State and our Montana 
communities. Ian and his wife, Nancy, have been especially generous to 
the University of Montana.
  Again, I want to recognize Ian Davidson for his contribution to 
Montanas' communities. If we could all live our lives as fully and 
productively as Ian Davidson, the world would be a better place.

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