Recognizing Ellen Bell's Service to the City of Milan

Floor Speech

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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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