[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S5316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                          ELGIN, NORTH DAKOTA

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I recognize a community in 
North Dakota that will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. On July 
17-20, the residents of Elgin will gather to celebrate their 
community's history and founding.
  Elgin, a Northern Pacific Railroad town site, was first named 
Shanley, but became Elgin in 1910. The residents were having difficulty 
agreeing on a new name, and Isadore Gintzler is said to have looked at 
his pocket watch to check the time at a very late hour, and suggested 
its brand name, Elgin, as a compromise name for the town site. Elgin 
watches are made in Elgin, IL, which was named by founder James T. 
Gifford for Elgin, Scotland. The post office was established August 11, 
1910. Elgin was incorporated as a village in 1911.
  Some of the present day businesses and accommodations that continue 
to thrive within the city of Elgin include the Jacobson Memorial 
Hospital Care Center and Clinics, Dakota Hill Housing, a dentist, an 
eye clinic, a cafe and bowling alley, a grocery store, a hardware 
store, gas stations, a bank, accounting offices, a drug store, 
insurance agencies, a newspaper, the post office, a lumber yard, a 
motel, a new public library, and grain elevators.
  Citizens of Elgin have organized numerous activities to celebrate 
their centennial. Some of the activities include an opening ceremony, 
historical power point presentation, historical bus tour, musical 
entertainment, an alumni football game, a magician show, and an antique 
parade.
  I ask the U.S. Senate to join me in congratulating Elgin, ND, and its 
residents on the first 100 years and in wishing them well through the 
next century. By honoring Elgin and all the other historic small towns 
of North Dakota, we keep the great pioneering frontier spirit alive for 
future generations. It is places such as Elgin that have helped to 
shape this country into what it is today, which is why this fine 
community is deserving of our recognition.
  Elgin has a proud past and a bright future.

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