[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 116 (Thursday, July 19, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S9609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              125TH ANNIVERSARY OF STERLING, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Madam President, I am pleased today to recognize a 
community in North Dakota that celebrated its 125th anniversary. On 
July 13 to 15, the residents of Sterling gathered to celebrate their 
community's history and founding.
  Sterling is a community in central North Dakota, only a short drive 
from Bismarck, the State capital. Sterling began as a railroad depot 
named Sixteenth Siding in 1873 and became home to settlers in 1880, who 
renamed it Ballville. In 1882, the post office was established with 
Oscar Ball serving as its postmaster, and the town then was renamed 
Sterling.
  Sterling has always been a quiet, small town, maintaining a 
population of fewer than 250 people since its founding. It has 
nonetheless been home to many notable establishments over the past 125 
years--the bank and hotel buildings still stand as a testament to the 
life of the town over the past century and a quarter.
  Though the town may be small, the anniversary celebration was not 
small by any means. Over 1,000 people attended the festivities, a crowd 
comparable to the one at Sterling's centennial celebration 25 years 
ago. The celebration included dances, live music, a quilt show, a 
pickup mud run, and a parade, at which onlookers were showered with 
free gifts and wowed by the 100 horses that walked together at the rear 
of the procession.
  Madam President, I ask the Senate to join me in congratulating 
Sterling, ND, and its residents on their first 125 years and in wishing 
them well in the future. By honoring Sterling and all other historic 
small towns of North Dakota, we keep the great pioneering frontier 
spirit alive for future generations. It is places such as Sterling that 
have helped shape this country into what it is today, which is why this 
fine community is deserving of our recognition.




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