[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 88 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S7923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              FRANKLIN HOTEL CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, it is with great honor that I rise 
today to congratulate the Franklin Hotel in Deadwood, SD, which 
celebrated its 100th anniversary of service on June 4, 2003.
  The Franklin Hotel has been a welcome destination for visitors to the 
Black Hills region and has catered to guests since its doors opened in 
1903. For locals and tourists alike, the past several years have seen a 
resurgence and interest in history, and the setting the Franklin 
provides to learn more about Black Hills history continues strong to 
this day. Whether the visitor was a well-known actor from Hollywood 
taking a break from daily shooting, noted public servants and athletes 
visiting the area on business or personal time, or the visiting family 
from Anywhere, USA or the world, experiencing the professional and 
welcoming, friendly attitudes of the Franklin Hotel staff is just 
another reason of making a Black Hills visit one to remember.
  In many respects, board of directors president Bill Walsh is as much 
of an institution in South Dakota as the Franklin Hotel. The two are 
inseparable when it comes to colorful personalities and both are 
foundations in the promotion and advocacy of South Dakota and Black 
Hills tourism. It would be all too easy for Bill to be just concerned 
about the promotion of the Franklin Hotel. Instead, he has been a 
stalwart advocate for projects impacting and benefiting Deadwood, the 
entire Black Hills, and South Dakota. One of Bill's highest priorities 
is making sure as many people as possible put Deadwood, the Black 
Hills, and South Dakota on their travel itinerary.
  Over the years, I have appreciated Bill's valuable insight on 
politics, current affairs, tourism, and the economy. I have always 
appreciated his wit, his hospitality and, most of all, his friendship. 
Many who gathered for the centennial anniversary celebration have 
special memories of Bill and the Franklin Hotel. Many local residents 
will probably never forget that as the Grizzly Gulch fire tickled the 
edges of Deadwood and as people streamed out of town under evacuation 
orders last summer, the doors of the Franklin stayed open with a 
confident Bill Walsh sitting on the porch of the Franklin with a 
freshly-lit stogie in hand.
  I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Bill and other members 
of the board of directors, Jo Roebuck-Pearson, Mike Trucano, French 
Bryan, and Taffy Tucker. I also want to congratulate MacKenzie Roebuck-
Walsh, who co-owns the hotel along with her parents, Bill and Jo. 
Finally, I want to acknowledge the Franklin Hotel staff and the 
community of Deadwood on the centennial anniversary of the hotel. This 
event is but another chapter in the living legacy of one of South 
Dakota's cherished destinations.
  I am proud to have this opportunity to honor Bill Walsh and the 
Franklin Hotel for its 100 years of outstanding service. It is an honor 
for me to share with my colleagues the strong commitment to history the 
Franklin Hotel has provided. I strongly commend the staff and board of 
directors for their years of hard work and dedication, and I am very 
pleased that their substantial efforts are being publicly honored and 
celebrated.

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