[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 119 (Tuesday, July 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





              RECOGNIZING RANGER DOUG FOLLETT OF WHITEFISH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GREG GIANFORTE

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 16, 2019

  Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Seasonal 
Interpretive Ranger Doug Follett of Whitefish for guiding countless 
visitors through Glacier National Park, one of our nation's natural 
wonders, for 70 years.
   Ranger Doug has spent decades in and around Glacier National Park. 
His family moved to Whitefish, Montana when he was a toddler, and he's 
made the area his home ever since. Before working at Glacier National 
Park, he worked for the railroad and served the United States in the 
Air Force during World War II. He began working seasonally in Glacier 
National Park during the summer while he taught high school history in 
the winter.
   Ranger Doug has spent 58 seasons as an interpretive ranger in 
Glacier National Park, making him one of the longest-serving employees 
of the National Park Service. He has led thousands of visitors through 
trails in the park's expansive forests and beautiful glacier-carved 
mountains and valleys.
   Ranger Doug greets visitors with a fist bump and is known for 
reciting his original poetry dedicated to the park. An ambassador of 
Glacier National Park, he shares his knowledge and experience with the 
thousands of visitors he guides each year. Those who cross Ranger 
Doug's path each season walk away from Glacier with his infectious 
passion and enthusiasm for the park.
   A well-known figure in Glacier National Park and in the community, 
Ranger Doug has no plans to slow down and retire anytime soon, saying, 
``I'll never know until it's over.''
   Many more stories and experiences will come from those who cross 
paths with Ranger Doug.
   Madam Speaker, for serving 70 years as an ambassador of Glacier 
National Park and Montana to the millions of visitors who visit the 
park each year, I recognize Ranger Doug Follett for his spirit of 
Montana.

                          ____________________