[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 89 (Thursday, May 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING ELLEN BELL'S SERVICE TO THE CITY OF MILAN

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                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2023

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Ellen Bell, 
Director of the Parks and Recreation Department of Milan, Michigan, on 
the occasion of her retirement. Her dedication to her local community 
is worthy of commendation.
  Ellen is a lifelong resident of Milan and graduated from Milan High 
School in 1976. Working as a beautician and delivering newspapers until 
1985, Ellen embarked upon a career in public service first as a 
secretary for the Parks and Rec Department. She quickly rose through 
the ranks, becoming an integral member of city government and, through 
the years, earning the title of Program Director, Interim Director, and 
finally the Director of Parks and Rec. Ellen has dedicated herself to 
improving the quality of life for Milan residents. Her legacy will live 
on through the many projects she pioneered; Ellen's final project as 
Director of Parks and Rec--a splash pad in Wilson Park--will provide 
area youth with countless hours of summer fun for years to come.
  Ellen is an active and well-known participant in Milan's civic life. 
Along with her husband, Mike, and her children and grandchildren, her 
entire family regularly participates in community events, demonstrating 
the value of volunteerism to the next generations. She regularly 
donates her time at Milan Seniors for Healthy Living, where she teaches 
quilting and other crafting projects. She is an active member of the 
Peoples Presbyterian Church in Milan where she is an elected Elder, 
spending countless hours teaching Bible stories to children, as well as 
organizing the Christmas Pageant and countless Chicken Broils and Steak 
Fry's over the years. Ellen was awarded the Volunteer of the Year award 
by the Milan Chamber of Commerce in 2015.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in celebrating 
Ellen Bell's service to the city of Milan. Over the last 38 years, she 
has dedicated herself to making her city more attractive and welcoming, 
both in public and in private. She is a tremendous example for all 
those who serve as a public official and those who wish to serve their 
community on their own time. I thank Ellen.

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