[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 92 (Thursday, June 26, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO T. NATHAN DOAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 1997

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, all of us have special memories of Christmas 
time with our families and friends. The excitement of Christmas Eve, 
the delight of unopened presents on Christmas morning, but most of all, 
we remember the mystery and magic of Santa Claus. I have had the 
privilege and honor of knowing the true Santa Claus in T. Nathan Doan, 
who was a constituent, a friend, and an inspiration to us all.
  Nathan Doan, or Nate as he was known to tens of thousands, passed 
away on May 19, 1997. He will be missed by his family and his friends, 
but also by the thousands of people whose lives he has so selflessly 
touched over the span of his lifetime. Each year on Christmas Eve, 
Nate's car became Santa's magical sleigh soaring Nate and Mrs. Clause, 
his wife Mary Ida, to the homes of Bay City's children to share the 
Christmas spirit. One of Santa's many elves would phone ahead to ensure 
that the children at the next house were ready for the visit from Santa 
and Mrs. Claus.
  Nate started his Santa career back in 1940. He was to be a 
replacement Santa. Little did he realize then that this was the 
beginning of a career that would touch the lives of many generations of 
not only the citizens of Michigan, but citizens across the Nation and 
the world.
  In 1953, Nate attended the Charles W. Howard Santa School in New 
York. He revisited each year until 1966 when Charles Howard passed on. 
Nate stepped in to lead the school keeping the legacy alive by training 
more than 800 Santas. In 1967, 1968, and again in 1980, Nate and his 
wife, Mary Ida, traveled to Australia to share the magic of Christmas.
  Nate was very proud of Bay City and the Bay City School District that 
employed him for many years. As Santa, he would delight the school 
children and always knew all the teachers by name. However, Nate was 
proudest of his role as husband to Mary Ida and father to T. Nathan II 
and Jeffrey. Their loving support for Nate's legacy as Santa to the 
worlds' children enabled him to touch us all.
  Nate was a deeply religious man and was very active in his church. 
His divine inspiration manifested itself, not just in his giving, but 
in his sense of humor. Spending just a little time with Nate meant sore 
cheeks from laughter and another loving memory of a man with a heart 
that could always make room for one more person. Nate's caring 
personality was infectious and always left one with a positive feeling.
  Mr. Speaker, the world is a better place because of our Santa, Nate 
Doan. May his wife and lifetime partner, Mary Ida, and his children, 
Nate and Jeff, know that our thoughts and prayers are with them. May 
they also know that Nate will continue to live in the memories of all 
of us that he so lovingly touched.

                          ____________________