[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 92 (Monday, June 1, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S2470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise with my colleagues Senator 
Mike Crapo and Representative  Mike Simpson to celebrate the 125th 
anniversary of the city of Blackfoot.
  Officially incorporated on January 16, 1901, the city of Blackfoot 
has helped shape the agricultural heritage that has defined Idaho for 
generations. Located along its namesake, the Blackfoot River, the city 
was established with an eye toward the future. Surrounded by a key 
freight corridor and the historic Tilford Ferry, Blackfoot was also 
developed near an anticipated telegraphy route, making the area a 
perfect corridor for growth.
  Blackfoot's rich soil quickly made it a hub of agriculture, 
attracting travelers from across the Nation. As more families moved in, 
Blackfoot's demand for irrigation rose. Early residents went to work, 
transforming the area into productive farmland by building irrigation 
ditches and canals that drew water from the Blackfoot River. The 
beautiful outdoor spaces that resulted from these efforts later 
inspired Blackfoot's nickname, the ``Grove City,'' which lives on in 
the Grove City Cemetery.
  Following the construction of Interstate 15 in the 1960s, Blackfoot 
experienced significant commercial growth and became a beloved 
destination. Today, the city is home to the Idaho Potato Museum and the 
Eastern Idaho State Fair, a tradition dating back to 1902 that now 
welcomes more than 250,000 attendees each year.
  As the seat of Bingham County, Blackfoot has produced several leaders 
who have helped shape Idaho's future. The city was home to Idaho's 
first U.S. Senator following statehood, Fred Dubois, and the Blackfoot 
City Council was the first chapter in Congressman  Mike Simpson's 
remarkable career as a public servant.
  Congratulations to the city of Blackfoot on 125 exceptional years. We 
are proud to recognize the city and its contributions to the great 
State of Idaho and its strong path toward future success.

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