[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 96 (Wednesday, June 26, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7058-S7059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          DUBUQUE: IOWA'S LINK

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, travellers see many different sights 
while boating down the mighty Mississippi River. One point of interest 
is found at the intersection of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin where a 
large town emerges from the Iowa bluffs. Dubuque, named after the 
French Canadian fur trader and lead miner Julien Dubuque, not only 
boasts beautiful architecture and prominent landmarks, but it has the 
distinction of being Iowa's oldest settlement.
  When the area now known as the city of Dubuque opened to settlers in 
June 1833, many miners were primarily attracted to this land because of 
lead. This resource promised great wealth. In fact, the Shot Tower 
still stands today as a tribute to those who produced lead shot that 
was used during the Civil War era.
  Not only did the mining of lead help build Dubuque, but the location 
on the Mississippi River played an important role in its economic 
development. For instance, wood was transferred downstream from the 
northern forests to Dubuque where it was milled into lumber. Steamboats 
brought settlers to Dubuque who loaded up with supplies and equipment 
before venturing further West.
  Moreover, the Third Street Ice Harbor holds a strong link between 
Dubuque and the Mississippi. Constructed in the mid 1800's, the Ice 
Harbor originally served as a winter haven for steamboats. It also 
housed the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works which, for many years, was 
ranked as the largest inland boat building center in the Nation. Now, 
the Ice Harbor is a place of recreation with many museums and other 
added attractions. The museums located on and around the banks of the 
Mississippi, remind us of Dubuque's significant relationship with the 
river.
  A historical center of trade and commerce, Dubuque continues to 
thrive in today's competitive market. In a performance report released 
from the International Trade Administration, Dubuque ranks No. 1 in the 
North Central Region with the greatest percentage change in metro area 
exports between 1993 and 1994. With an almost 91 percent jump, Dubuque 
nationally ranks No. 2 in growth behind the tri-city area of Biloxi, 
Gulfport, and Pascagoula, Mississippi.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Department of 
Commerce charts ranking Dubuque's export growth be printed in the 
Record following my remarks.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (See exhibit 1.)
  Everyday we are exposed to examples of how our world seems to be 
shrinking and global connections are becoming a greater asset to 
growing businesses and services. Dubuque has indeed adapted to meet 
these international challenges while staying true to its roots. Exports 
today range from new technology, such as computer services, to heavy 
machinery like John Deere tractors.
  I am proud to see Iowa's oldest settlement sustain its role in 
linking Iowa to the world.
  Furthermore, this year, Dubuque was one of 30 finalists for the 
National Civic League's All-American City and Community Award. This 
award recognizes those communities who successfully address local needs 
and concerns. Being in the running for this nationwide civic award pays 
tribute to Dubuque's commitment to serving its community.
  And today, Mr. President, I salute the good citizens of Dubuque, who 
spread the Iowa Spirit of Community in their homes, workplaces, 
schools, places of worship and neighborhoods each and every day.

                               Exhibit 1

      METROPOLITAN AREA EXPORTS: AN EXPORT PERFORMANCE REPORT ON OVER 250 U.S. CITIES, NORTH CENTRAL REGION     
                               [Percentage Changes in Metro Area Exports, 1993-94]                              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Rank                Metropolitan                                                   1993-94 Change      
-----------------------    Statistical Area           1993               1994       ----------------------------
 Regional    National           (MSA)                                                      Amount        Percent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1           2           Dubuque, IA..........        $93,056,279       $177,562,181        $84,505,902      90.8
2           8           Muncie, IN...........         64,329,690        107,404,131         43,074,441      67.0
3           10          Detroit, MI..........     16,780,888,732     27,469,655,137     10,688,766,405      63.7
4           12          Eau Claire, WI.......        289,715,835        465,707,890        175,992,055      60.7
5           21          Waterloo-Cedar Falls,        102,706,259        149,660,963         46,954,704      45.7
                         IA.                                                                                    
6           27          Green Bay, WI........        134,096,711       187,1289,675         53,192,964      39.7
7           30          Rochester, MN........         53,026,135         72,680,026         19,653,891      37.1
8           34          Hamilton-Middletown,          49,285,459         66,255,465         16,970,006      34.4
                         OH.                                                                                    
9           35          Kalamazoo-Battle             650,330,732        868,950,604        218,619,872      33.6
                         Creek, MI.                                                                             

[[Page S7059]]

                                                                                                                
10          40          Terre Haute, IN......         67,300,401         88,796,473         21,496,072      31.9
11          42          Omaha, NE-IA.........        299,777,818        393,250,149         93,472,331      31.2
12          49          Springfield, MO......         81,120,882        103,823,081         22,702,199      28.0
13          51          Canton-Massillon, OH.        250,176,671        315,936,317         65,759,646      26.3
14          55          Springfield, IL......         23,906,115         29,803,555          5,897,440      24.7
15          56          Milwaukee-Waukesha,        2,337,304,875      2,913,554,707        576,239,832      24.7
                         WI.                                                                                    
16          68          Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN        111,847,927        137,258,753         25,410,826      22.7
17          77          Fort Wayne, IN.......        640,583,777        770,882,450        130,298,673      20.3
18          79          Chicago, IL..........     14,446,576,063     17,333,603,392      2,887,027,329      20.0
19          84          Lawrence, KS.........          5,238,501          6,243,631          1,005,130      19.2
20          88          Gary, IN.............        225,347,242        267,480,658         42,133,416      18.7
21          92          Rockford, IL.........        521,617,189        616,148,483         94,531,294      18.1
22          93          Toledo, OH...........        836,073,213        986,928,080        150,854,867      18.0
23          94          Sheboygan, WI........        207,104,066        244,345,672         37,241,606      18.0
24          103         Grand Rapids-Muskegon-     1,704,959,504      1,993,494,017        288,534,513      16.9
                         Holland, MI.                                                                           
25          104         Columbia, MO.........         42,934,889         50,173,690          7,238,801      16.9
26          105         Madison, WI..........        357,688,184        417,083,076         59,394,892      16.6
27          111         Kansas City, MO-KS...      2,225,900,542      2,578,559,820        352,659,278      15.8
28          115         Indianapolis, IN.....      2,626,625,792      3,003,834,284        377,208,492      14.4
29          117         Cleveland-Lorain-          3,582,759,333      4,093,322,966        510,563,633      14.3
                         Elyria, OH.                                                                            
30          123         Lansing-East Lansing,        185,665,447        208,627,069         22,961,622      12.4
                         MI.                                                                                    
31          125         Akron, OH............      1,434,941,835      1,606,289,098        171,347,263      11.9
32          132         Columbus, OH.........      1,167,012,557      1,295,467,590        128,455,033      11.0
33          136         Racine, WI...........        365,126,982        403,153,387         38,026,405      10.4
34          139         Lincoln, NE..........        188,537,132        207,173,028         18,635,896       9.9
35          141         Elkhart-Goshen, IN...        419,879,457        460,350,316         40,470,859       9.6
36          152         Benton, Harbor, MI...        338,674,082        368,813,560         30,139,478       8.9
37          155         Kankakee, IL.........         79,077,304         85,978,927          6,901,623       8.7
38          157         Evansville-Henderson,        448,533,992        487,403,232         38,869,240       8.7
                         IN-KY.                                                                                 
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