[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 109 (Thursday, June 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    RECOGNIZING ELLEN CRAIN OF BUTTE

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                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 2019

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ellen Crain of 
Butte for her 29 years of service as the Director of the Butte-Silver 
Bow Public Archives and for transforming the public archives into a 
renowned source of research and community pride.
   Ellen, a native of Butte, began her work as director of the archives 
in 1990. She immediately set out to acquire additional collections of 
historical documents, maps, books, and articles. Outgrowing their 
current location, the old Butte Fire Station No. 1, Ellen led an 
expansion project in 2007. Butte-Silver Bow voters overwhelming 
supported her efforts and passed a $7.5 million bond for the archives.
   The project included the renovation of the historic fire department 
station that had been home to the archives since 1981, and an expansion 
of two archival vaults and a community meeting space.
   Under Ellen's leadership, the Butte-Silver Bow Public Archives has 
become a recognized source for research. Approximately 5,000 academic 
and family historians visit each year from all over the world. The 
community room is a busy place with bi-weekly brown bag lunches 
attracting large audiences and well-known speakers. Outreach efforts 
include workshops on preserving family archives and connecting with 
various ethnic populations in the community.
   ``Butte has had such a historic impact'' said Ellen. ``Much of the 
copper that electrified the country came from Butte. Hand-in-hand with 
that is the historic contributions to organized labor from a diverse 
ethnic population. It is such an honor for me and my staff to represent 
Butte. We are always uncovering new ways to look at old stories.''
   Madam Speaker, for her leadership and dedication to preserving 
Montana's historic impact on the country and the world, I recognize 
Ellen Crain for her spirit of Montana.

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