[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 178 (Friday, October 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1076-E1077]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BIVOUAC

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 8, 2021

  Mrs. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 50th 
anniversary of Bivouac, a family-owned small business located on 
bustling State Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Their 50 years spent 
outfitting the lives of those in our community is worthy of 
commendation.
  Founded in 1970 by Mr. Ed Davidson while he was a student at the 
University of Iowa, he set up shop on Williams Street in Ann Arbor in 
1971. It started off as an army surplus store catering to anti-war 
activists, but after the move to their current location on South State 
Street, the store has become an Ann Arbor mainstay for clothing and 
outdoor gear. With their expansive storefront in the historic Nickels 
Arcade, Bivouac is a familiar shopping destination for many University 
of Michigan students and the locals who call Ann Arbor home.
  Bivouac goes beyond just making sales by contributing to causes with 
local impact and lending a hand to their neighbors. For their 50th 
anniversary, they are donating ten percent of their sales to the Huron 
River Watershed Council. They've also held charity shopping events for 
organizations such as Ozone House, a shelter for homeless youth based 
in Ypsilanti.
  For years, Bivouac has outfitted hundreds. Former customers--now 
parents--bring their children back to the store when they begin school 
at the University of Michigan to get the coats and layers needed to 
survive a chilly Michigan winter. What started off as an idea of a 
University of Iowa senior has grown into an Ann Arbor icon and now 
since the partial retirement of Mr. Davidson, his son AJ Davidson now 
serves as President of the store and handles day-to-day operations.

[[Page E1077]]

  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating 
the 50th anniversary of Bivouac. We are grateful for their half-century 
as a vital member of our downtown Ann Arbor community and wish them 
continued success in the adventure ahead.

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