[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING MR. MICHAEL P. DOUGLASS FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE 
                      WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2013

  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to commemorate and 
acknowledge a long-time curator from western Wisconsin, Mr. Michael P. 
Douglass. Michael is a knowledgeable, hard working man from Grant 
County who is retiring after 30 years of service to the Wisconsin 
Historical Society as site director at the Villa Louis historic site in 
Prairie du Chien.
   I'm very proud of the extraordinary dedication and positive 
contributions that Michael has made during his time at Villa Louis--a 
National Historic Landmark that was the estate of the prominent H. 
Louis Dousman family in the 19th century. Thanks to the stewardship of 
Michael, since his very first day at the site on August 4, 1983, the 
Villa Louis mansion has been restored and renovated to what it once 
was, making it one of the most well-tended historic sites in Wisconsin. 
Michael discovered distant Dousman relations and brought back many of 
the mansion's original furnishings; throughout this process, he helped 
to preserve and share accurate accounts of Wisconsin's history.
   The Wisconsin Historical Society and people of Wisconsin have 
greatly benefited from his extensive knowledge of the Dousman family 
and dedication to Villa Louis. Michael excelled in the mission of the 
Society--to preserve and share stories of Wisconsin history. Good 
narratives bring past events back to life, and Michael has undoubtedly 
and successfully championed these efforts in the expansion and 
enhancement of the collections of Villa Louis. I commend Michael 
Douglass for his extraordinary efforts in bringing history to life.
   Mr. Michael P. Douglass's hard work and 30 years of dedicated 
service to the people of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Historical Society, 
and Villa Louis is truly deserving of recognition. It is with great 
pride that I rise today and congratulate Michael on a job well done, 
and I wish him all the best in his retirement.

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