[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 75 (Tuesday, June 13, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5775]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ABERDEEN, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
125th anniversary of the founding of one of South Dakota's great 
cities, Aberdeen. Aberdeen is the third largest city in the State, and 
the county seat of Brown County. Aberdeen boasts a robust economy, 
first-rate hospital, two 4-year universities, art, culture, shopping, 
and outdoor recreation. Taken all together, Aberdeen has an exceptional 
quality of life, and things are only getting better for this dynamic 
city.
  Aberdeen was founded in July of 1881 with the arrival of the 
Milwaukee Railroad and takes its name from the home town of the 
Milwaukee Railroad's Scottish President, Alexander Mitchell. As more 
railroads came into the area, Aberdeen became known as the ``Hub 
City,'' referring to its role as a busy intersection for trainlines. 
Aberdeen's citizens are justly proud of their city's history, and they 
have undertaken numerous successful projects designed to preserve and 
celebrate this heritage. The city's many historic attractions include 
the Granary Rural Cultural Center, Dacotah Prairie Museum, and J.L. 
Zeitlow Telephone Pioneer Museum, among others. In addition, Aberdeen 
is home to and promotes a lively and renowned antique market.
  Perhaps Aberdeen's most famous early resident was Lyman ``Frank'' 
Baum, who would eventually write ``The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'' During 
his time in Aberdeen, Baum owned a store, Baum's Bazaar and later 
edited The Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer. Many believe that Baum's 
description of Kansas in ``The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ``was based on 
his time in Aberdeen. Storybook Land, a theme park based on ``The 
Wonderful Wizard of Oz,'' commemorates Baum. Another nationally known 
figure from Aberdeen in more recent times is former Senate Majority 
Leader Tom Daschle.
  Other institutions in the Aberdeen area include two 4 year 
universities, Northern State University and Presentation College; a top 
flight medical center, Avera St. Luke's Hospital; Wylie Park 
recreational area; and of course plenty of good hunting and fishing.
  Aberdeen combines the warmth and friendliness of a small town with 
the cosmopolitanism associated with larger communities. I am pleased to 
recognize the achievements of Aberdeen, and to offer my congratulations 
to the residents of the city on this historic milestone. As the city 
motto states, Aberdeen is indeed ``A Great Place to Live.''

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