[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]




                        HANKINSON, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I am pleased to recognize a 
community in North Dakota that is celebrating its 125th anniversary. 
From July 1-4, the residents of Hankinson, ND, will gather to celebrate 
their community's founding.
  The town of Hankinson was founded in 1886, and was named after COL 
Richard Henry Hankinson. At the time, Colonel Hankinson was promoting a 
townsite called Kelly a few miles to the south, but development shifted 
to the new site, which had just been reached by both the Great Northern 
Railroad and the Soo Line Railroad. Both of these railroads were trying 
to establish control in the area. The post office was established on 
December 6, 1886, with Colonel Hankinson as the postmaster, and the 
town was named in his honor.
  Today, Hankinson is the home of Hankinson Renewable Energy, which is 
one of the largest ethanol facilities in the United States. The 
facility began operations in 2009 and produces approximately 110 
million gallons of ethanol per year. Great facilities such as this one 
show the future of energy in the United States, and help ease our 
dependence on foreign oil.
  The citizens of Hankinson are proud to mention the many reasons their 
community is so strong. The city offers genuine small town living with 
a public library, city park, the ``Caboose'' Museum, and the Jack L. 
Bopp Memorial Football Field. The Hankinson area is also known for 
excellent hunting and fishing.
  In honor of the city's 125th anniversary, community leaders have 
organized a golf tournament, car and bike show, flea market, children's 
tractor pull, street dances, a parade, a fireworks display, and other 
celebratory events.
  I ask that my colleagues in the U.S. Senate join me in congratulating 
Hankinson, ND and its residents on their first 125 years and in wishing 
them well in the future. By honoring Hankinson 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 Hankinson 
that have helped shape this country into what it is today, which is why 
this fine community is deserving of our recognition.
  Hankinson has a proud past and a bright future.

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