[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 26 (Thursday, February 17, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DAKOTA TERRITORY

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the formation of 
the Dakota Territory. It was on February 26, 1861, that the Senate 
passed the legislation creating the territory. In the year of the 150th 
anniversary, I would like to honor the dedication of those who made 
this status a reality.
  Dr. J.M. Staples of Dubuque, IA, paved the way to develop the Dakota 
region, leading the new settlers to desire territorial status.
  When Minnesota became a State on May 23, 1857, the Dakota area was 
left without a form of government. Therefore, the settlers 
unprecedentedly created a provisional government in October of 1858, 
including electing Henry Masters as Governor and in the autumn of 1859 
nominating the Honorable J.P. Kidder as delegate to Congress.
  Congress continued to thwart desired territorial status as U.S. 
Senator Fitch in December 1858, Senator James I. Green on January 29, 
1859, and House Representative Alexander II Stevens on February 4, 
1859, assertively introduced bills, all of which failed.
  Senator Green would not be deterred and continued to push for the 
creation of the territory, introducing another bill on February 14, 
1861. His persistence resulted in the passage of the act. This bill 
successfully passed in the Senate on February 26, the House on March 1, 
and President James Buchanan signed it into law less than 48 hours 
before his term ended on March 2.
  After taking office, President Abraham Lincoln had the honor of 
appointing the first Governor to the territory, Dr. William Jayne of 
Springfield, IL, a personal friend of his. General J.B.S. Todd, a 
relative of Mrs. Lincoln, became the first officially recognized 
territorial delegate to Congress.
  I would like to posthumously recognize the efforts of those who 
worked to secure the designation of the Dakota Territory. For it is 
through their labor that eventually on November 2, 1889, the Dakota 
Territory became, in part, the State of South Dakota of which I am 
proud to be a citizen.

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