[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NOONAN, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I recognize a community in 
North Dakota that will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. On June 
29-July 1, the residents of Noonan will gather to celebrate their 
community's history and founding.
  Noonan is a thriving rural community in northwest North Dakota that 
shares a border with the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Noonan 
holds an important place in North Dakota's history. Like many of the 
rural communities in North Dakota, Noonan began its history as a 
community with the arrival of the Great Northern Railroad. Noonan 
received its name from Patrick Noonan, the first mayor of Noonan. The 
first businesses in Noonan included the Golden Rule General Store, an 
implement store, and a hotel. Noonan officially became a city on 
September 14, 1928.
  Today, the community of Noonan is largely based on agriculture and is 
home to some of the best waterfowl and upland game hunting in northwest 
North Dakota. There is also a volunteer fire department and EMT 
service, two taverns, and many other businesses in this close-knit 
community where everyone knows everyone. The nearby Noonan trout pond 
offers camping and fishing. Noonan is also home to a prominent Lions 
Club chapter, which is the oldest service organization in Noonan and 
whose main goal is to help the blind.
  The community of Noonan is a wonderful place for its residents to 
live, work, and raise future generations. The people of Noonan take 
pride in their community and all the opportunities it has to offer. The 
town has an exciting centennial weekend planned that includes dances, a 
parade, variety show, a Sunday brunch, and much more.
  I ask the Senate to join me in congratulating Noonan, ND, and its 
residents on their first 100 years and in wishing them well through the 
next century. By honoring Noonan and all other historic small towns of 
North Dakota, we keep the great pioneering frontier spirit alive for 
future generations. It is places such as Noonan that have helped to 
shape this country into what it is today, which is why this fine 
community is deserving of our recognition.
  Noonan has a proud past and a bright future.

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