[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 95 (Thursday, July 20, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S7382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORABLE NANCY EKSTRUM, MAYOR OF PHILIP

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, on July 10, 2000, one of South Dakota's 
finest mayors stepped down after two decades of public service. Nancy 
Ekstrum, former city council member and mayor of the town of Philip for 
12 years, provided thoughtful and decisive leadership for her community 
during a time of considerable change.
  The first woman to lead Philip, Mayor Ekstrum began her service as 
mayor facing difficult issues that would be familiar to anyone who 
lives in a rural community. Poor quality water supplies made treatment 
expensive and difficult. An aging sewer system needed repair and road 
projects awaited completion. Meeting these challenges with a shrinking 
tax base and during a time of hardship for area ranchers required a 
sense of vision and tenacity. Most of all, it required a mayor who was 
willing to roll up her sleeves and put her heart and soul into finding 
creative solutions to difficult problems.
  Nancy Ekstrum was just that kind of mayor. Under her leadership, the 
city built long-needed roads and made great strides toward providing 
its citizens with clean, healthy drinking water. When it became clear 
that the Mni Wiconi Rural Water System was still several years from 
reaching the community, Mayor Ekstrum rallied area residents to work 
with the congressional delegation to find an affordable interim 
solution to the city's water crisis. It is my hope that this project 
will be funded this year so that clean water will be Mayor Ekstrum's 
lasting legacy to the city.
  On a more personal level, I will miss working with Mayor Ekstrum. Her 
advice on issues facing western South Dakota is always thoughtful and 
on target. I suspect that I will continue to turn to her long into the 
future for her thoughts and input as South Dakota faces the challenges 
of adapting a rural state to a global economy. I look forward to 
maintaining our strong friendship.
  In conclusion, I simply would like to extend my congratulations to 
Mayor Ekstrum on her 23 years of service to her community. I am 
delighted that she plans to stay involved in education and will 
continue to make a difference for the youth of Philip. I wish her the 
best as she enters this new phase of her life.

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