[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9539]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          HECLA, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON of South Dakota. Mr. President, today I wish to 
recognize the town of Hecla, SD, on reaching the 125th anniversary of 
its founding. This small town in Brown County has flourished from its 
humble pioneer origins to a vibrant South Dakotan community.
  The completion of the Dakota Central Railroad, known later as the 
Chicago Northwestern, breathed life into this region of Brown County, 
and the community of Hecla was born in 1886. The railroad was essential 
to the progress of the town as it provided a means to get supplies, 
export harvests, and transport mail. Mystery surrounds the naming of 
Hecla as the railroad crew decided to name the town after the volcano, 
Mt. Hekla, in Iceland for unknown reasons.
  Today, Hecla is a progressive small town community. It features 
several local businesses, including grain elevators, lodging sites, 
banks, restaurants, meat processors, and insurance agencies, and is 
home to several churches. Hecla will be commemorating its anniversary 
with a celebration on the weekend of June 25th-26th. The town plans to 
celebrate with many events including a parade and a dance to be held on 
Hecla's Main Street. The events of the weekend promise to provide great 
opportunities to celebrate such a historic milestone.
  Most South Dakotans call small towns like Hecla home. Even 125 years 
after its founding, Hecla still exemplifies what it means to be a great 
South Dakota community. I am proud to publicly honor Hecla on this 
memorable occasion and congratulate the people of Hecla on their 
achievements.

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