[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF PLATTE COUNTY, WYOMING

  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I am pleased to recognize the 
Centennial of Platte County, WY.
  Although today's Platte County is vastly different than that of 100 
years ago, its vibrant history connects the two. The early inhabitants, 
who were then part of Laramie County, campaigned passionately for the 
division of the county. They had distinguished themselves as functional 
communities, and they contributed to the State's economy by 
strengthening their ties to the railroad, agricultural development, and 
mining industries. They wanted an independent identity. On April 28, 
1911, a headline in the Wheatland World jubilantly announced, ``County 
division carries! Platte County a reality.'' Their success represents 
Wyoming's spirit of independence.
  Platte County consists of 8,200 residents in the five communities of 
Wheatland, Guernsey, Hartville, Glendo, and Chugwater. Parts of 
Wheatland's unique irrigation system are still visible. In the early 
1880s, engineers created a system of canals to transport water from 
manmade reservoirs through the mountains to the town below. Such 
foresight assisted in the taming of a small section of the great Wild 
West. A few miles outside of Guernsey stands Register Cliff, a 
sandstone outcropping upon which emigrants recorded their names and 
dates as they traveled the historic Oregon Trail. Wagon ruts from the 
trail are also visible and remind us of the grand journey people made. 
The Sunrise Mine, located just outside of Hartville, was one of the 
largest iron mines in the country, producing over 42 million tons of 
iron ore during its 80-year operation. Platte County is the only county 
in Wyoming with two State parks: Guernsey State Park and Glendo State 
Park. Both parks contribute to the area's irrigation systems, as well 
as provide excellent year-round recreational opportunities for Wyoming 
residents. Livestock production has always been a major enterprise in 
Wyoming; Chugwater earned distinction as the headquarters for Swan Land 
and Cattle Company, one of the largest cattle outfits in the United 
States. Now, new generations of ranchers continue the cattle legacy.
  Today, Platte County helps meet America's growing energy demands. The 
Laramie River Station powerplant, located northeast of Wheatland, 
delivers electricity to two separate power grids and is one of the 
largest consumer-operated, joint power supply ventures in the country. 
Strides have been made in developing renewable energy technology, 
including plans to harness Wyoming's wind. Also impressive is Platte 
County's proximity to the Niobrara Shale Formation, a shale rock 
formation that covers four States in the West. Drilling beneath this 
formation will provide numerous opportunities for oil and natural gas 
production.
  Madam President, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Platte 
County, I invite my colleagues to visit this historic place. This year, 
the Platte County Centennial Committee has planned several countywide 
celebrations and has announced its motto, ``The People, the Land: Past, 
Present and Future.'' I applaud the citizens of Platte County in their 
efforts to celebrate such rich history and to present it to visitors 
from all over the world.

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