[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 125 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION AT EXELON 
                  NUCLEAR'S DRESDEN GENERATING STATION

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DEBORAH L. HALVORSON

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 16, 2010

  Mrs. HALVORSON. Madam Speaker, I proudly rise today to commemorate 
the 50th anniversary of the completed construction of Exelon Nuclear's 
Dresden Unit 1 facility, celebrating 50 years of safe, reliable, 
nuclear generated electricity at the Dresden site. Employees and guests 
will be celebrating this achievement on Wednesday, September 22, 2010.
  On August 1, 1960, Dresden Unit 1 entered commercial operation and 
became the nation's first full-scale, privately financed commercial 
nuclear power plant. This feat alone marks a great accomplishment in 
human technological advancement, but also an incredible contribution 
towards the advancement of our society and the growth of surrounding 
communities.
  Construction of Dresden Unit 1 began in June of 1957 on a site at the 
mouth of the Illinois River near Morris, just 60 miles southwest of 
Chicago, and began generating electricity on April 15, 1960. Dresden 
Unit 1's success was followed by the completion of Dresden Units 2 and 
3 in 1970 and 1971, respectively. Although Unit 1 has since been placed 
in dormancy, Units 2 and 3 continue to generate electricity for our 
local communities.
  Madam Speaker, I also rise to commemorate the approximate 950 
employees of the Dresden generation facility, and congratulate all 
employees, past and present, for their hard work and contributions 
towards making our communities and our country a better place to live 
and for showing the world of the benefits of clean and efficient 
nuclear energy.
  With Dresden's annual contributions to the local United Way, its 
sponsorship of the Grundy County Corn Festival fireworks display and 
other donations and sponsorships to community organizations and events, 
the Dresden Generating Station is a shining example of social 
responsibility and investing in the local community.
  As the 11th Congressional District is also home to Dresden's sister-
plants, Braidwood and LaSalle, I am proud to represent this facility in 
the United States Congress and I give thanks for all of Dresden's past 
successes and wish it the best in the future.

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