[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 91 (Wednesday, June 17, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S6717]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              125TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAPOLEON, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I wish to recognize a community in 
North Dakota that is celebrating its 125th anniversary. On June 11 to 
14, the residents of Napoleon gathered to celebrate their community's 
history and founding.
  Founded in 1884, Geo H. Cook from Steele, ND, first surveyed and 
platted the Napoleon town site. The city was named after the president 
of the Napoleon Townsite Company, Napoleon Goodsill. This company 
constructed the first building in Napoleon. It soon became the county 
seat, a title the city still holds today despite numerous challenges 
over the years. In 1914, Napoleon became incorporated as a village and 
later was recognized as a city in 1947.
  Located in south central North Dakota, Napoleon's beautiful parks and 
recreation provide its residents with great enjoyment. Napoleon Country 
Club is a picturesque nine-hole golf course located just 1 mile outside 
of the city. The Napoleon City Park has 12 campsites along with 
basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts. Beaver Lake State Park is 
also nearby which provides fantastic hunting, fishing, and boating.
  Today, Napoleon is a rural agricultural community that is excited to 
celebrate its quasquicentennial. Currently, Napoleon is building an 
elevator which will provide improved service to a unit train for grain 
hauling, and wind farm projects are beginning in the city.
  To celebrate its 125th anniversary, Napoleon held a number of 
exciting events. The Opening Ceremony included music, city hall 
dignitaries, and a fly over. The festivities continued all weekend with 
entertainment such as a softball tournament, 4-H and Future Farmers of 
America livestock show, craft vendor show, 3 on 3 basketball tournament 
and a magician, followed by street dances at night. The events 
concluded on Sunday with a demolition derby.
  Mr. President, I ask the Senate to join me in congratulating 
Napoleon, ND, and its residents on their first 125 years and in wishing 
them well in the future. By honoring Napoleon and all the other 
historic small towns of North Dakota, we keep the great tradition of 
the pioneering frontier spirit alive for future generations. It is 
places such as Napoleon that have helped to shape this country into 
what it is today, which is why the community of Napoleon is deserving 
of our recognition.
  Napoleon has a proud past and a bright future.

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