[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S8555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RON MICHAELSON: 29 YEARS AT THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

 Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to my 
friend Dr. Ronald D. Michaelson. Ron Michaelson will retire in June 
after 29 years of outstanding service to Illinois as the executive 
director of the Illinois State Board of Elections. I want to salute his 
dedication to public service and briefly share his story with you 
today.
  Dr. Michaelson grew up in Chicago. He received a bachelor of arts 
degree from Wheaton College in 1963, a master of arts degree in 
political science from Northwestern University in 1965, and a Ph.D. in 
government from Southern Illinois University in 1970.
  Dr. Michaelson went on to devote his life to public service. He began 
his professional career working in State government as an assistant to 
former Illinois Governor Richard Ogilvie. He then spent several years 
teaching at Sangamon State University. His interest in the political 
arena remained, however, and in 1974 he returned to that arena to head 
the newly created State board of elections. The board was formed to 
interpret election laws and coordinate procedures for holding 
elections, and Dr. Michaelson became the board's first and so far only 
executive director.
  Dr. Michaelson's drive and ambition helped him administer and 
supervise the agency in a fair and bipartisan manner. He devoted 
himself and his 65 staff members to creating one of the most respected 
campaign disclosure systems in the Nation--one that requires candidates 
to report disclosure statements electronically, making them easily 
accessible to those interested in a candidate's campaign donations. Dr. 
Michaelson's success in creating a fair and effective system of 
campaign disclosure in the tough political environment of Illinois 
provided a heartening and instructive example for the cause of 
political openness nationwide.
  In addition to his teaching and his work in government, Dr. 
Michaelson has authored numerous articles that have been published in 
leading state and national journals. He is the past national chairman 
of the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws and speaks frequently at 
conferences in the areas of election administration and campaign 
finance. He currently serves as an appointee to the advisory committee 
of the Federal Election Commission and teaches as an adjunct professor 
of public affairs at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
  Dr. Michaelson's dedication to public service will continue beyond 
his retirement this month. He intends to assist the State board of 
elections on a part-time basis with the implementation of the recently 
enacted Help America Vote Act.
  In a time of considerable cynicism about public officials, Ron 
Michaelson's career stands as a shining example of the finest tradition 
of honorable service to the public: an example of integrity, fairness, 
hard work, and high standards. I am truly pleased to honor Dr. 
Michaelson on his retirement from the Illinois State Board of Elections 
and to thank him for his service to the state of Illinois and for the 
example he has set in the course of that service. I know my fellow 
Senators will join me in congratulating Dr. Michaelson on his 
remarkable career.

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