[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5709]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TETON COUNTY, WYOMING, CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today in recognition of the 
100th anniversary of the formation of Teton County, WY.
  On Sunday, August 29, 2021, Teton County will come together in honor 
of this milestone with a 100th anniversary picnic celebration. The day 
will include barbequed food, lawn games, live music performances, 
children's activities, and exhibits of Teton County's historical photos 
and artifacts. This event provides an exceptional opportunity to 
demonstrate and celebrate Teton County's strong, remarkable character.
  Teton County was established by an act of the Wyoming Legislature and 
signed into law by Governor Robert D. Carey on February 18, 1921. The 
area was initially part of neighboring Lincoln County. Residents grew 
weary of travelling over 200 miles to the Lincoln County seat: 
Kemmerer, WY. Travel was often impossible in the winter as snowy roads 
were closed, leaving the residents of now Teton County completely 
isolated.
  One of the chief proponents of the effort to carve out Teton County 
was Wyoming legislator W.C. Deloney. In January 1920, Representative 
Deloney introduced a bill in the legislature establishing an 
independent county he then called ``Jackson Hole County.'' To select 
the county seat, a vote was held between the communities of Jackson and 
Kelly. Though Jackson seems like the logical seat today, the landscape 
was very different in 1920. Of 826 votes cast, Jackson won by only 22 
votes.
  The first three Jackson Hole County Commissioners, T.R. Wilson of 
Alta; W.P. Redmond of Kelly; and Peter Christofferson--P.C.--Hansen of 
Jackson were appointed. This was the beginning of a legacy of civic 
service for the Hansen family. P.C. Hansen was the father of U.S. 
Senator Cliff P. Hansen and the great-grandfather of Wyoming Governor 
Matt Mead.
  Today, Teton County boasts four communities, Jackson being the 
largest with more than 10,500 residents led by Mayor Hailey Morton 
Levinson. The tight-knit communities of Wilson, Moran, Alta, Kelly, and 
Teton Village bring the county's population to over 23,400. Five county 
commissioners, Chairwoman Natalia D. Macker, Vice-Chair Luther Propst, 
Mark Newcomb, Greg Epstein, and Mark Barron represent Teton County.
  The story of Teton County echoes the stories of communities across 
Wyoming, carving out their homes in the American West. Even today, 
Teton County is 97 percent public land, including the Bridger-Teton 
National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and most of Yellowstone 
National Park.
  From its beginnings, tourism was an important business in the region. 
The first homesteaders in the 1880s hosted and outfitted the earliest 
tourists. Today, the wilderness attracts tourists from all over the 
world for numerous activities like camping, sightseeing, hiking, 
hunting, and snow-skiing, to name only a few. Three significant ski 
areas, Snow King Mountain Resort, Teton Village, and Grand Targhee 
Resort ensure the tourism industry stays vibrant in the winter.
  The National Elk Refuge in Teton County is a winter-safe haven for 
upwards of 8,000 elk. The refuge, part of the National Wildlife Refuge 
System, provides critical habitat for a number of species, including 
elk, bison, pronghorn, swans, eagles, and trout.
  It is my honor to commemorate this historic milestone for Teton 
County. Their centennial celebration is a tribute to generations of 
determination and commitment. My wife Bobbi and the people of Wyoming 
join me in our appreciation of the people of Teton County. We thank 
them for opening their communities to our great State, the Nation, and 
the world. We extend our congratulations as we look forward to the next 
100 years.

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