[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 104 (Tuesday, September 7, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S8851]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING THE TOWN OF BURKE

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I honor and publicly recognize the 
100th anniversary of the founding of the town of Burke, SD. The town of 
Burke has enjoyed a proud past and looks forward to a bright future.
  Founded in 1904, the town of Burke took its name from Charles Burke 
of Pierre, who served in the South Dakota legislature, U.S. Congress, 
and later as U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Burke was platted as 
a government townsite and surveyed by Sam Chilton. On August 4, 
homesteaders gathered in the center of the townsite and raced on foot, 
on horseback and with wagons to lay their claims to plots in the town. 
Though the town was born with the sound of the pistol that day, Burke 
did not experience the boom that many of the other towns in the area 
did. Burke's growth was slow and purposeful. Early settlers faced and 
overcame the hardships of South Dakota winters, tedious trips to the 
nearest railroad town for supplies, the devastation of tornadoes, and 
even terrorization from gamblers and thugs that had made their way into 
town. The citizens of Burke cleaned up the rough element and earned a 
reputation as one of the most peaceable and law-abiding towns in the 
county.
  Since 1917, Burke has served as the county seat of Gregory County. 
The town lies about 30 miles west of the Missouri River in a region of 
fertile farmland and gently rolling hills. Currently, more than 650 
people live in Burke. The town celebrated its centennial birthday with 
festivities during the first week of August. Among the many events 
during the 5-day celebration were an alumni golf tournament, a 
centennial farm dance, a parade, an alumni banquet, a centennial coin 
auction, and a ballroom dance. It is with great honor that I advise my 
colleagues of the achievements made by this great community.

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