[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 209 (Thursday, December 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                         HONORING ELLEN DUNLAP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 10, 2020

  Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor to rise today in 
recognition of Ellen Dunlap of West Boylston, Massachusetts, who is 
stepping down as President of the American Antiquarian Society after 28 
extraordinary years in that position.
  America's history, Madam Speaker, is our greatest natural resource. 
It speaks to us across the years and serves as a source of great 
inspiration and hope for people across this country. It is an 
acknowledgement of America's triumphs and our imperfections; a reminder 
of who we are and who we're called to be.
  Ellen is the President of the American Antiquarian Society--a 
remarkable institution in Worcester, Massachusetts founded by 
Revolutionary War patriot and printer Isaiah Thomas in 1812 and 
dedicated to preserving our treasured history. The Society serves as an 
incomparable resource for scholars and historians and a preeminent and 
comprehensive depository of American history and culture that is 
unparalleled in size and scope.
  As President--the first woman to hold that post, by the way--Ellen 
has spent her career not only preserving our past, but bringing it to 
life in a way that truly excites others. Ellen's work and leadership 
are extraordinary, she has the incredible talent and vision to clarify 
and animate history so that all of us can better understand and learn 
from our collective past. She has worked tirelessly to open up the 
Society's extraordinary archives to a wider audience, including 
teachers, scholars, artists, and writers. Under her leadership, the 
Society undertook a massive effort to digitizing their collections. 
Ellen also spearheaded the construction of a major expansion and 
renovation of the Society's home at Antiquarian Hall, and has sought to 
engage the Worcester community in new and exciting ways like free 
public programs and partnerships with cultural groups.
  Ellen has chaired the board of the Worcester Cultural Coalition and 
the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, and she has advised 
many prestigious institutions such as the Library of Congress and 
George Washington's Mount Vernon. Ellen's vision and leadership earned 
the American Antiquarian Society a National Humanities Medal from 
President Barack Obama in 2013.
  Madam Speaker, there is so much more I could say about how grateful I 
am that Ellen has devoted her life to preserving our American story and 
how lucky we are that the American Antiquarian Society calls Worcester 
home. But let me end on a personal note to say that Ellen is a 
treasured friend and a wonderful person, I'm grateful that I've had the 
privilege of getting to know and work with her, and I know she will 
continue to give back to our community in the years ahead.
  On behalf of the United States Congress, the people of Massachusetts' 
Second Congressional District, and all the people who will benefit from 
her incredible work for generations to come, it is my great honor and 
privilege to recognize Ellen Dunlap and to thank her for her remarkable 
service to our community, our commonwealth, and our country.

                          ____________________