[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5443]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF AYR, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am pleased to honor a community 
in North Dakota that is celebrating its 125th anniversary. On June 21 
and 22, the residents of Ayr will come together to celebrate their 
community and its historic founding.
  Ayr is located in Cass County. Although its population is small, Ayr 
holds an important place in our State's history. Originally founded in 
October 1883 as Dunlop, the town was officially renamed Ayr by 
postmaster Frank Dickinson. He chose to name the community Ayr in 
recognition of Ayrshire, Scotland, the ancestral home of many of Ayr's 
citizens at the time. Later, some residents tried to change the name of 
the town again, but the territorial legislature took action to put an 
end to the renaming effort.
  Ayr is a community dedicated to service, with many citizens serving 
both in the government and military. Many in the community have also 
played a role in defining the preservation of North Dakotan history, 
with community members such as Keith Johnson who was responsible for 
much of the restoration of historic buildings in the Cass County 
`Pioneer Village' project.
  Mr. President, I ask the United States Senate to join me in 
congratulating Ayr, ND, and its residents on their 125th anniversary 
and in wishing them well for the future. By honoring Ayr and all other 
towns of North Dakota, we keep the pioneering, frontier spirit alive 
for future generations. It is places such as Ayr that have helped to 
shape this country into what it is today, which is why this fine 
community is deserving of our recognition.
  Ayr has a proud past and a bright future.

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