[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 116 (Thursday, September 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 CELEBRATING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE MENNONITES IN 
                                AMERICA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                           HON. JOHN R. THUNE

                            of South Dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the gentleman 
from South Dakota, Mr. Thune, to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of 
the arrival of the Mennonites in the United States.
  To do so, I would like to read from a poem written by my constituent, 
Mrs. Gladys Graber Goering of Hutchinson, Kansas:

                         ``A Hymn of Heritage''

     Sing a song of deep gratitude
     To our God, Who by His grace,
     Led a people through centuries
     To this special time and place.
     Glad hosannas to you belong,
     Joy of the Lord, our strength and song.

     Tell the prairies' welcoming call
     Soil rich to the farmer's hand,
     Grasses and sky and spacious fields
     Beckoned families to the land,
     Promised them freedom to pursue
     The peaceful life which once they knew.

     Simple homes built on the broad plain,
     Church and school as their domain,
     Mennonites soon felt richly blest,
     Stretching borders east to west,
     Children and children's children grown
     Claimed the new land as their own.

     One-room schoolhouse and ABC's
     Played a part in wisdom's call.
     Stumbling now with a language strange,
     Students soon embraced it all.
     Learning continued through the years
     Pointing the way to new careers.

     Caring families eased the way
     Through the stresses of each day
     Dust and storm, depression and fears,
     Conscience and war, conflicts and tears,
     As generations moved along,
     Anchored safe in families strong.

     Sing a song of our heritage,
     Home and church and values true,
     Faith enduring, foundation firm,
     Building blocks on which we grew.
     God of the ages, help us, pray,
     Increase the good gifts of today.


  The accomplishments of the Mennonite community, in Kansas and South 
Dakota and in America are many. What continues to endure is the 
strength of their communities and of the values that they share.
  In a world that is rapidly changing, where information is shared 
around the globe instantly, and where too often, faith is an antiquated 
notion, the Mennonite community has retained its belief in service to 
the global community, peaceful resolution to conflict, and faith in 
God. From Moundridge, Kansas to Freeman, South Dakota, Mennonites have 
gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve people in need.
  Today, farmers are still growing the Turkey Red Winter Wheat that the 
Mennonites brought with them 125 years ago. Midwestern states like 
Kansas and South Dakota make up the ``Bread Basket of the World'' and 
our farmers produce more wheat than any other states. The gentleman 
from South Dakota and I are grateful that so many Mennonites chose 
Moundridge and Freeman as their homes and helped to shape our great 
states.
  It is an honor to commemorate this anniversary.

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