[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Pages 1336-1337]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING SANDPOINT, IDAHO AS A SUNSET MAGAZINE ``BEST SMALL TOWN''

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, Idaho is known as the Gem State. I 
rise today to recognize a diamond among our community gems that has 
gained the attention of Sunset magazine. Every year, Sunset selects a 
group of neighborhoods, cities, and towns which readers have nominated 
as ``best places to live.'' I am proud to say that Sandpoint, ID, a 
small community in the panhandle has earned the distinction of ``Best 
Small Town'' in January 2004.
  Sandpoint sits tucked away in the Selkirk Mountain Range, 
approximately 50 miles south of the Canadian

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border. It borders Lake Pend Oreille, the largest freshwater lake in 
Idaho, and is 9 miles from the well-known ski resort, Schweitzer Basin. 
Sandpoint is a diverse community of about 7,500 people who have 
occupations ranging from retail businessperson, logger, doctor, 
attorney, vintner, millworker, herbalist, teacher, and builder. 
Tourism, timber, and a thriving arts community call attention to the 
complexity and wonderful character of Sandpoint.
  This honor bestowed by the readers of Sunset magazine indicates the 
efforts Sandpoint residents have made to work together to create a 
warm, inviting community which upholds values of family and prioritizes 
preservation of the incredible natural beauty that surrounds this 
precious gem of Idaho. I commend the community and its leaders for 
their continuing commitment to making Sandpoint ``the best.''

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