[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 174 (Friday, December 14, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2297]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT, IDAHO, ON ITS CENTENNIAL

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                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 13, 2001

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a place I 
call home. Blackfoot, Idaho is celebrating its centennial and as a 
resident of Blackfoot, I'd like to share with you what makes it an all-
American town.
  Nestled in the Snake River Plain, Blackfoot, Idaho in Bingham County 
produces more potatoes than any other place in the world. The 
``famous'' Idaho potatoes that the world enjoys come from Blackfoot and 
the numerous potato fields that surround it. In fact, Blackfoot offers 
``free taters for out of staters'' at its Idaho Potato Expo Museum. 
It's made Blackfoot the Potato Capitol of the World by producing more 
than 200 million pounds of potatoes every year.
  While Blackfoot is celebrating 100 yeas of incorporation, its history 
expands to the early 1800s. The first reference to Blackfoot is found 
in the 1818 journals of the Hudson Bay Company. In 1860, Grove City, 
where Blackfoot now sits, was settled to accommodate freight wagons 
bound for mines in central Idaho. Like many western settlements, the 
establishment of the Utah and Northern Railroad opened expansion and 
immigration. Then in 1878, the train arrived in Blackfoot on Christmas 
Day.
  Using the Snake River to irrigate the fertile lava soil, pioneers and 
settlers found Blackfoot to be a prosperous agriculture community. 
Blackfoot became the county seat for Bingham County and at one time 
held the largest population in the state with 13,575 people. In 1901, 
Blackfoot was incorporated and now celebrates its centennial.
  As many of you know, when I'm not serving in Congress, I go home to 
Blackfoot. I grew up there, graduated from Blackfoot High School and 
chose to return after completing dental school. I started my political 
career in Blackfoot, serving on the city council for four years.
  My wife, Kathy, and I have witnessed the kind heart and gentle spirit 
of many who live there. It's truly a place where everyone knows your 
name. I salute this community that has give me so much over the years. 
While it may be the potatoe capitol of the world, it's a place I prefer 
to call home. Congratulations to Blackfoot on 100 years of excellence.

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