[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 11953]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            125TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEW ROCKFORD, NORTH DAKOTA

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize a 
community in Eddy County, ND, that will be celebrating its 125th 
anniversary. From July 3-6, the residents of New Rockford will gather 
to celebrate their community's history and founding.
  The Eddy County region was populated mainly by settlers of 
Scandinavian origin. The first pioneers followed the trail blazed by 
earlier Red River buffalo hunters. Later, they came by way of the 
Northern Pacific Railway.
  In 1882, Captain Walter G. Dunn established his merchandise store and 
post office just to the south of present-day New Rockford. As the 
railroads stretched northward, townsite promoters appeared a year 
later. These advocates sited the settlement along the James River and 
initially called it Garrison. Since Garrison was the name of another 
post office, the settlers decided upon the name New Rockford, derived 
from the area's river crossing.
  Today, New Rockford is a quiet, scenic place of 1,463 people. The 
township anchors a dynamic farm economy and contains a 117-acre 
industrial park. New Rockford is renowned for holding the Central North 
Dakota Steam Thresher's Reunion every third weekend of September, where 
a unique collection of antique operational steam engines is displayed. 
In addition, the community's rugged pioneering tradition persists and 
has been passed on to hometown son James Buchli, an astronaut and 
American hero.
  New Rockford boasts a vibrant natural heritage and offers some of 
North Dakota's finest wildlife habitats. Blessed to be near the 
Sheyenne and James Rivers, the town is a prime locale for fishing. New 
Rockford is also a hub for hunters because of the waterfowl, whitetail 
deer, and upland game that populate the area.
  To celebrate their 125th anniversary, the people of New Rockford have 
planned a number of events, including pitchfork fondues, dances, 
children's games, and a fireworks display.
  Mr. President, I ask the United States Senate to join me in 
congratulating New Rockford, ND, and its residents on their first 125 
years and in wishing them well through the next century. By honoring 
New Rockford and all the other historic small towns of North Dakota, we 
keep the great pioneering frontier spirit alive for future generations. 
It is places such as North Rockford that have helped to shape this 
country into what it is today, which is why this fine community is 
deserving of our recognition.
  New Rockford has a proud past and a bright future.

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