[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 14]
[Senate]
[Page 19515]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             150TH ANNIVERSARY OF VERMILLION, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of the founding of one of South Dakota's great cities, 
Vermillion. Sitting atop a bluff on the Missouri River in the southeast 
corner of the State, Vermillion is the county seat for Clay County. 
With its growing economic development, strong workforce, and diverse 
demographics, Vermillion has an exceptional quality of life, and I am 
proud to call it my hometown.
  Deriving its name from the Sioux word for ``red stream,'' Vermillion 
was founded in 1859 after first being visited by French fur traders. 
Just 3 years later in 1862 the University of South Dakota was founded, 
making it the State's oldest institution of higher education. After a 
harsh winter, the city of Vermillion faced what would later become 
known as the Great Flood of 1881. By the flood's end, over 100 
buildings were destroyed, and transportation was stalled for months due 
to damage to railroads and bridges. The town's businesspeople quickly 
responded and rebuilt the town on top of the bluff. After relocating, 
the city continued to flourish with the advance of technological 
innovations at the turn of the century. In 1895, the Vermillion Milling 
Company received a franchise to operate an electric utility and provide 
electric lights. In 1902, Vermillion saw the installation of a city 
sewer system and steam powered automobiles on its streets. Throughout 
its rich and colorful history, Vermillion has continued to grow and 
prosper.
  Today, Vermillion boasts a wide variety of educational, cultural, and 
recreational opportunities. It is home to many places of interest 
including the Shrine to Music Museum, founded in 1973. This national 
music museum is one of the greatest institutions of its kind in the 
world. The facility holds many instruments from renowned collections 
and has been recognized as ``A Landmark of American Music'' by the 
National Music Council. Additionally, the city's attractions include 
the Austin-Whittemore House, the Oscar Howe Gallery, the Dakota Dome, 
the W.H. Over Museum, Spirit Mound, and beautiful riverside trails.
  Vermillion is celebrating its sesquicentennial with a variety of 
events including tours of the newly completed Vermillion City Hall, a 
community barbeque, school reunions and dances, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, an 
airshow, and a concert by Ratingen Youth Wind Orchestra from 
Vermillion's Sister City of Ratingen, Germany. These activities will 
serve as a reminder of the shared history of the community and bring 
the tight-knit people of Vermillion even closer together. Vermillion is 
holding a flag design contest to pay additional tribute to this 
historic milestone. The city has previously unveiled its official 
sesquicentennial logo, designed by Erin Helsa, a 2006 graduate of 
Vermillion High School.
  As a native of Vermillion, I am pleased to publicly honor the 
achievements of this wonderful South Dakota community as they reach 
this juncture. I congratulate the citizens of Vermillion on their 
accomplishments over the last 150 years and look forward to seeing 
their future endeavors.

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