[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 170 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1646]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING BRUCE KARSTADT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2015

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, Minneapolis is fortunate to be the home of 
the American Swedish Institute (ASI). It is a non-profit organization 
that serves as a museum and a cultural center. Bruce Karstadt has 
served as the President and CEO of the American Swedish Institute for 
the past twenty-five years. He is also the Honorary Counsel General of 
Sweden for the State of Minnesota.
   Mr. Karstadt has helped promote trade, diplomacy, and he serves as a 
conduit between Minnesota and the nation of Sweden. His steadfast 
leadership has led to several significant and positive changes at ASI. 
The campus and museum have nearly doubled in size since his tenure 
began and it has become a favorite destination for residents and 
tourists to Minneapolis. He has transformed ASI into an influential 
organization with an inclusive atmosphere that works to involve all 
cultures in the Twin Cities area. Located in a very diverse 
neighborhood on the South side of Minneapolis, ASI teaches visitors 
about the past, and how early Swedish immigrants lived in Minnesota, 
while serving as a modern gathering place for all in our increasingly 
diversified community. Today, ASI focuses on the future and provides 
much inspiration to recent immigrants to our community.
   Mr. Karstadt and his staff draw visitors to the historic Turnblad 
Mansion and motivate them to think about connecting the past with the 
bright future of Minnesota. I congratulate Mr. Karstadt on his twenty-
five years of service to the American Swedish Institute, to Minnesota, 
our increasingly diversifying community and our visitors from Sweden 
and the Nordic region.

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