[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 94 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF WILLOW LAKE, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the 125th 
anniversary of the founding of the community of Willow Lake, SD. After 
125 years, this progressive community will have a chance to reflect on 
its past and future, and I congratulate the people of Willow Lake for 
all they have accomplished.
  Willow Lake, located in Clark County, was originally plotted on the 
northeast corner of the lake in 1883. When the Manitoba Railroad was 
surveyed to come about 2 miles south of the city, the decision was made 
to move the town to its present location. Willow Lake grew with the 
evolution of the Manitoba Railroad to the Great Northern in 1890. A 
tornado and several fires swept through the town during the turn of the 
20th century, destroying most of the primarily wooden structures. 
Shortly thereafter, the town fathers mandated that all Main Street 
buildings were to be made of brick to withstand the elements of eastern 
South Dakota.
  Today, Willow Lake has come a long way from the days of railroad 
commerce. The town now boasts a variety of businesses in both the 
service and manufacturing sectors, including a grain elevator, multiple 
construction companies, and a K-12 public school. The people of Willow 
Lake will celebrate their achievements July 4-6, 2008, with a rodeo, 
car show, fireworks display, and parade as well as an all school 
reunion which, as reported by Paul Harvey, is held each and every year.
  Willow Lake is a credit to Clark County and to the State of South 
Dakota. I am proud to join with the community members of Willow Lake in 
celebrating the last 125 years, and looking forward to a promising 
future.

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