[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17826]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA

 Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate the city 
of Plymouth, MN, for being named the ``Best City in America'' by the 
staff and writers of Money Magazine.
  Because of this recognition, the country now knows what the residents 
of Plymouth, MN, have already known: that Plymouth is an exceptional 
place to live and grow, rich in culture and character.
  The median household costs of single family homes in Plymouth allow 
families to responsibly purchase homes that are appropriate to their 
needs. When looking for educational or entertainment opportunities 
though, residents of Plymouth have access to a wide array of events at 
the Hilde Performance Center and other entertainment venues, as well as 
40 public parks, 100 miles of trails, and half a dozen large lakes to 
swim, fish, and run around. With over 104 libraries within 15 miles, it 
is no surprise that the Plymouth public school system is ranked among 
the top three districts in a State renowned for education leadership. 
There are also 27 colleges, universities, and professional schools 
within a few miles of the city, exemplifying why 83 percent of 
Plymouth's citizens attended college.
  Plymouth is not only the best city in America because of its 
proximity to arts, education, and the outdoors, it is also home to a 
healthy and thriving economy and active local government. The 50,000 
jobs created in the city of Plymouth aids in independent business 
development, low crime rates, and allows for greater access to heath 
care options, so critical to Plymouth's low rates of diabetes and 
hypertension. Plymouth's local government recently led an effort to 
have a ``green roof'' and rain gardens installed when City Hall was 
expanded, thereby reducing greenhouse gases and mitigating the impact 
of pollution through water runoff.
  Acknowledging this city's many successes, today I encourage other 
communities to follow the lead of Plymouth, MN, and encourage business 
leadership, civic investment, and community cohesiveness through its 
commerce, government, schools, entertainment, and health care 
initiatives.

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