[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12826]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    ANNUAL VIBORG DANISH VIKING DAYS

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to the Viborg 
annual Danish Viking Days celebration.
  The Viborg community showed its unity in 1999 when the Danish Days 
Committee began developing the Avenue of Flags. Over 100 flags are 
displayed on holidays to commemorate veterans and individuals from the 
area.
  Named after Viborg, Denmark, this South Dakota town has maintained 
its ties to its Danish past. Following the notable feature of their 
Danish counterpart, the people of Viborg built Our Savior's Lutheran 
Church on the town's highest point in 1911. When a post office and 
store were first established in this area, it was known as Daneville. 
With the coming of the railroad, Viborg was constructed half a mile 
away, and Daneville slowly ceased. Regardless of the town name, the 
Danish traditions remained in the area.
  Originally, Danish Days were celebrated to coincide with Denmark's 
Independence Day on June 5 but has now been moved to the third weekend 
in July. This year's events are July 16 to 18. It will include a 
presentation by Joy Ibsen on her new book of stories from Viborg, a 
parade, a golf tournament, an all-school reunion, and plenty of food. 
There will also be the 17th annual Leadership Luncheon, which starts 
the festival. The luncheon honors accomplishments in Viborg. Since 
2003, this has included the Friends of Viborg Award. This year, the 
honor goes to the Viborg Public School's past and current teachers, 
administrators, employees, and board members to recognize their notable 
contributions to the community. I am proud to recognize the recipients 
and would like to join with the committee in sharing my appreciation 
for all these people have done.

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