[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 70 (Thursday, May 19, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S3167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OAKES, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I am pleased today to recognize a 
community in North Dakota that will be celebrating its 125th 
anniversary. On June 10-12, the residents of Oakes will gather to 
celebrate their community's history and founding.
  Oakes is a vibrant community located in Dickey County. This Northern 
Pacific Railroad, NPRR, townsite was founded in 1886. The town was 
named for Thomas Fletcher Oakes, who was the NPRR president from 1888-
1893. Its first mayor, Thomas Frank Marshall, later became a U.S. 
Representative. Oakes is also the hometown of former NFL player, Phil 
Hansen.
  Citizens of Oakes are proud of their community and what it has to 
offer. They boast that their town is the hub of southeastern North 
Dakota, with an excellent school system, a well-established clinic, and 
a new hospital facility. While a strong agricultural community, Oakes 
also has a booming business sector. Its citizens are honored to call 
Oakes their home and know that it is a great place to live and raise a 
family.
  The residents of Oakes have already begun celebrating their town's 
anniversary. They gathered for a family night the first day in January 
to kick off their 125th year. They have also planned numerous 
activities for the weekend of June 10-12 to continue the celebration, 
including a walk/run, an all-school reunion, a parade along Main 
Avenue, and two evenings of live music and street dances.
  I ask the U.S. Senate to join me in congratulating Oakes, ND, and its 
residents on their first 125 years and in wishing them well in the 
future. By honoring Oakes and all other historic small towns of North 
Dakota, we keep the great pioneering frontier spirit alive for future 
generations. It is places such as Oakes that have helped shape this 
country into what it is today, which is why this fine community is 
deserving of our recognition.
  Oakes has a proud past and a bright future.

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