[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13972]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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      125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF MITCHELL, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
125th anniversary of the founding of one of South Dakota's great 
cities, Mitchell. Located along I-90, Mitchell serves as the county 
seat of Davison County and is one of the State's most thriving 
communities. Mitchell is home to a strong economy, first-rate hospital, 
a 4-year university and a technical institute, as well as numerous 
tourist destinations, art, culture, shopping, and outdoor recreation.
  The site of Mitchell was originally platted in 1879 and then 
incorporated in 1881. Mitchell may be best known as the home of the 
Corn Palace. Build in 1897 to showcase South Dakota's healthy 
agriculture climate, the Corn Palace attracts over a half million 
visitors annually. Each year a new theme and new murals are chosen and 
the Corn Palace is redecorated with corn, other grains, and native 
grasses. It is a great venue for displaying the variety of South Dakota 
agriculture. Additionally, the Corn Palace is more than a visitor's 
attraction; it serves as a host for state basketball tournaments, 
dances, meetings, banquets, and other civic events.
  Also in Mitchell are historical and cultural attractions such as the 
Prehistoric Indian Village, Enchanted Doll Museum, and the Dakota 
Discovery Museum. Mitchell's economy is also boosted by the hunting and 
fishing industries. The community is served by the Mitchell Republic 
newspaper. Perhaps Mitchell's most famous resident is George McGovern, 
former Representative and Senator of South Dakota and 1972 Democratic 
nominee for President.
  Mitchell boasts one of South Dakota's oldest and finest educational 
institutions, Dakota Wesleyan University. DWU is a 4-year university 
with 26 majors and 30 minors available. The latest addition to the 
campus, the George and Eleanor McGovern Library and Center for 
Leadership and Public Service, is expected to be completed in August of 
2006. Mitchell is also home to Mitchell Technical Institute, a post-
secondary technical school employing cutting edge technology in five 
occupational areas.
  The Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, one of the most advanced medical 
centers in the region, is also located in Mitchell. Especially 
noteworthy is the recently finished Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center. 
The hospital employs over 700 people from the Mitchell area.
  Even 125 years after its founding Mitchell remains a vital community 
and a great asset to South Dakota. I am pleased to honor this 
progressive city and offer my congratulations to the residents of the 
city on this historic milestone.

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