[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14372]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        111TH VIBORG DANISH DAYS

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to recognize the 
upcoming Danish Days Festival in Viborg, SD. This annual event attracts 
hundreds of people to the small South Dakota town to celebrate the 
area's rich Danish history. I especially applaud the Danish Days 
planning committee and the Danish Heritage Association for their work 
to make this event a success.
  Denmark-native Peter Larsen Christensen first settled near Viborg in 
1864, establishing a small general store on his homestead. Southwestern 
Railroad completed a line connecting Sioux Falls and Yankton in 1893, 
which passed through the present-day Viborg. The community incorporated 
on August 25, 1893, shortly after the railroad's arrival, and quickly 
grew into a bustling Danish community on the new South Dakota prairie.
  Today, this town of 800 remains a vibrant community. In a time when 
small town stores continue to close, Viborg's Main Street features full 
storefronts offering a variety of services, including a pharmacy, 
grocery store and bank. The city's industrial park also continues to 
grow. Viborg's strong business community exists because of the town's 
strong foundation of community, established more than 100 years ago.
  Each year, the Danish Days Festival provides Viborg residents, past 
and present, with an opportunity to celebrate the community's proud 
heritage. The event will feature a leadership luncheon for Turner 
County's public servants and an honoring reception for the decedents of 
2004 Danish Days honorees, C.J. and Cena Glood. A parade, community 
barbecue, car show, and fireworks display are also planned.
  The C.J. and Cena Glood family opened Viborg's first hardware and 
implement store shortly after the community was incorporated, and their 
decedents have continued to impact Viborg's prosperity through proud 
leadership. Most prominently, their eldest son, Royal, served 10 years 
in South Dakota State Legislature, advocating for the interests of 
Turner County.
  Their daughter, Dagmar, maintained a medical practice in Viborg for 
nearly 20 years and made numerous contributions to the community. The 
family has had a substantial impact on Viborg's development and are 
worthy honorees.
  Finally, the Danish Heritage Association will unveil Viborg's first 
Danish heritage museum during the festivities. The Association has 
dedicated hours of volunteer time and labor to ``preserving yesterday 
and today for tomorrow,'' and I am pleased that artifacts of Viborg's 
history will be preserved in this fashion.
  South Dakota communities each have their own unique history. I am 
proud to recognize Vibrog's ongoing work to preserve its heritage while 
building toward the future.

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