[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PETUNIA FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. J. DENNIS HASTERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 24, 2004

  Mr. HASTERT. Mr. Speaker, I have the great honor and privilege of 
representing the city of Dixon, Illinois. Dixon encompasses all that is 
good in America. It's a place that puts a great emphasis on the 
importance of family and friendship. Mom-and-Pop businesses are often 
passed down from generation to generation and its citizens continue to 
honor traditions from years past. For that reason, I rise today to 
recognize one of these long and celebrated traditions--the 40th 
anniversary of the Petunia Festival.
  In 1830, Father John Dixon purchased land in the western parts of 
Illinois and soon began ferrying people across the Rock River to settle 
the area that would later be named after its founder. Unfortunately, in 
the 1950s a combination of Dutch Elm disease and major highway 
expansion resulted in the removal of all trees along the community's 
major roadways.
  Nonetheless, in 1960, a small group of residents, better known as the 
Dixon Men's Garden Club, grew tired of the arid landscape and planted 
4,000 petunias along South Galena Avenue to enhance the aesthetic 
beauty of the small Midwestern town. The following year, the Garden 
Club planted 6,000 more petunias, this time along North Galena Avenue.
  Each year since, the residents of Dixon pay tribute to the Dixon 
Men's Garden Club by planting and caring for 24,000 petunia plants, 
which now extend along all major streets throughout the town.
  In recent years, Dixon has received much attention for their annual 
Petunia Festival celebration. In fact, in 1999, the 91st General 
Assembly of Illinois passed a resolution declaring the city of Dixon, 
Illinois, the ``Petunia Capital of Illinois.'' In addition, the fun-
spirited festival has earned the town national recognition and is often 
referred to as the ``Petunia City'' by passing travelers.
  Once again, I want to congratulate the city of Dixon as it celebrates 
its 40th anniversary of the Petunia Festival and wish its citizens, and 
my constituents, all the best in the years to come.

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