[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 77 (Monday, May 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE CITY OF MENDOTA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO MINNESOTA STATEHOOD

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                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 12, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, as Minnesota celebrates its 
150th anniversary of statehood this year, I rise to pay special tribute 
to the place where it all began.
  Without the town of Mendota, there would be no Minnesota. Almost 200 
years ago, Fort Snelling, the first U.S. outpost in the region, was 
established at this confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. 
As trappers and Native Americans came to the fort to conduct trade and 
commerce, a settlement sprang up outside its walls. The settlers called 
their community ``Mendota,'' a Dakota word meaning ``where the waters 
meet.''
  Mendota was one of the first permanent communities in Minnesota, and 
its residents would play a pivotal role in the path to statehood and 
the following 150 years of State history.
  Henry Sibley arrived in Mendota in 1834 and built the first stone 
house in the State, which still stands today. Mr. Sibley became a 
leader in local politics, going to Congress and guiding Minnesota to 
territory status by 1849, then leading the push toward statehood. When 
Minnesota became a State in 1858, Mr. Sibley served as the first 
governor.
  St. Paul, the city which I call home, also owes a special debt of 
gratitude to another, more colorful Mendota resident. In 1832, Mr. 
``Pig's Eye'' Parrant established an infamous distillery in Mendota, 
but was soon kicked out of the town for selling liquor to Fort Snelling 
soldiers and Indians.
  ``Pig's Eye'' headed about five miles down the Mississippi River to 
start a new settlement, named in his own honor. Over the following 
decades, that community would blossom into Minnesota's thriving capital 
city--and thankfully receive a new name: St. Paul.
  The city of Mendota has thrived throughout Minnesota's history. 
Today, it remains a unique, vibrant, close-knit community, overflowing 
with historic landmarks. Our sesquicentennial celebrations would not be 
complete without recognizing Mendota's contributions to Minnesota's 
story.
  I know that visitors will be delighted by what they discover and 
learn in Mendota through many more State sesquicentennials to come.

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