[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 87 (Friday, May 25, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE COMMUNITY OF TIPTON, KANSAS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2007

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
citizens of Tipton, Kansas for continuing efforts to sustain and 
revitalize their community.
  Most communities in rural America would like to see future 
generations return home and keep alive its way of life. Tipton 
residents are no different. They want to provide the next generation 
the opportunity to continue the quality rural lifestyle the previous 
generation afforded them. The difference is that this community knows 
its future is in its hands. So they have volunteered these hands to 
construct what is needed to attract and retain the youth who, too 
often, leave for the ``city.''
  In the summer of 2003, the parents and students of Tipton were faced 
with the impending consolidation of their elementary school--leaving 
the students with up to a 20 mile bus drive and the town with one less 
way to attract and retain businesses and the families they employ. 
Although the long drive would be taxing on the students and parents, 
convenience wasn't the catalyst for the action that was about to take 
place that summer. Mayor Adrian Arnoldy was among those who knew what 
losing the school would mean to Tipton. He told me, ``Our parents faced 
the prospect of their children being enrolled in three different 
schools in three different towns. Losing our elementary school was not 
an option because we knew that as schools leave communities, so go the 
communities themselves.''
  Thinking ahead about the future effects of losing the elementary 
school, the town voted to create its own school--the Tipton Christian 
School, a private K-6 facility. Those committed hands of Tipton's 
residents worked together and completed the new school in less than two 
months with all volunteer labor. Private donations funded the cost of 
the new facility and continue to finance school operations to date. The 
construction and funding of a new school in 41 days is just one example 
of how this community stands up against the prevailing winds of 
consolidation and urbanization plaguing rural America. I can only 
imagine that the residents of Tipton will make sure this school 
succeeds in the same way Tipton Catholic Senior High School has since 
1919.
  During a period when small towns throughout the country have 
experienced the shuttered doors of a main street no longer able to keep 
customers in the shops, efforts like these have helped Tipton maintain 
an active business community. Hollerich Construction is an example of a 
business matching the commitment made by residents. The company has 
expanded its presence in Tipton, along with Great Plains Manufacturing 
who recently doubled the size of its agricultural equipment 
manufacturing plant.
  Tipton residents have shown character, determination and the high 
value they place on family, friends and neighbors. It is their hope 
that these ideals will be an example to some of the troubled boys at 
the recently opened Tipton Academy, housed in the closed elementary 
school building. Boys who come to the academy are there to experience a 
different setting, a positive one. One way to do that is to have the 
boys involved in the community. They contributed to the construction of 
a kitchen, eating and serving area in the new community building that 
Tipton residents use for all sorts of community events and 
celebrations.
  For rural communities to survive and prosper, citizens must be 
willing to create their own opportunities for success. Ongoing efforts 
to revitalize Tipton are an example of how hard work, vision and 
involvement can create just such an opportunity. Citizens throughout 
Kansas are working together to enhance the quality of life in their 
communities. Tipton is a developing success story that demonstrates how 
teamwork and creative thinking can make a positive difference in rural 
America.

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