[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 18, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      THE MONTEVIDEO NATIONAL GUARD TRAINING AND COMMUNITY CENTER

 Mr. DURENBERGER. Mr. President, this weekend, I will be 
joining Congressman Montgomery, Congressman Minge, and a number of 
other officials at the dedication of the Montevideo National Guard 
Training and Community Center in Montevideo, MN. This celebration marks 
the culmination of many years of hard work by community leaders to see 
this project become a reality.
  I am especially pleased that the distinguished chairman of the House 
Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Sonny Montgomery, will be the featured 
guest at the dedication, having taken a personal interest in this 
armory and the partnership it represents. I am very grateful to him for 
his involvement in this project, as well as his tireless efforts on 
behalf of our Nation's veterans.
  About 12 years ago, Arnie Anderson, a friend of mine from Montevideo, 
recognized the need for a new National Guard armory in that community. 
The old Montevideo Armory was constructed in 1921, and had fallen into 
disrepair over the years. Unfortunately, about 3 years ago, the funding 
request for the new armory was denied.
  Vin Weber, the congressman representing Minnesota's Second District 
at the time, Rudy Boschwitz, my Minnesota colleague in the Senate, and 
I continued to work together with Arnie, Maj. Gen. Eugene Androetti, 
the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, and other 
community and State leaders to ensure that this vision for a new 
community center in Montevideo would come to pass.
  One of the reasons we believed so strongly in this project, Mr. 
President, is that this armory is not a typical armory. Its 
construction is the result of a unique cooperative funding formula 
between the city, the county, the Federal Government, and the school. 
The building is situated near--and connected by corridor to--the 
Montevideo Senior High School. There are six classrooms that can be 
used as the high school needs them, and the drill floor is used by the 
students for athletic activities. The kitchen is large enough to cater 
to various community events, with enough room on the floor to 
accommodate 800 people.
  Another reason for our commitment to this center was the men and 
women of the Minnesota National Guard unit in Montevideo who so 
desperately needed a new facility. The local unit is the 151st 
Battalion--part of the 34th Infantry Division, which has the longest 
combat record in military history. The members of the 151st have 
consistently demonstrated their strong commitment to their Nation and 
their community and have a proud history--both in combat and in coping 
with natural disasters.
  After many years of hard work and tireless efforts by many 
individuals, this community center has become a reality. Last spring, 
construction of the center began, and the unit moved into the building 
the end of March, 1994. Already, the armory has lived up to its name as 
a community center. Every evening and every weekend the facility is in 
use, filled with trade shows, machinery shows, and banquets.
  In closing, I want to pay special tribute to all those in the 
Montevideo community and those in the Minnesota National Guard 
leadership who never gave up on this vision, especially Arnie Anderson. 
I believe that when the history of the 20th Century in Montevideo is 
written, people will read that it was Arnold Anderson who contributed 
most significantly to the well-being and the quality of life in this 
community and this region. A retired brigadier general, he served his 
country with honor and distinction. And he has served his hometown with 
his heart and soul. From libraries to the railroad; from a community 
center to fine art exhibits; Arnie has put his imprint on this 
community with his love and care.
  Mr. President, I have a feeling that over the next 50 or more years, 
the Montevideo National Guard Training and Community Center is going to 
be the birthplace of many happy memories as a place where the community 
comes together.

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