[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     CARLYLE LAKE 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2017

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 50th 
Anniversary of Carlyle Lake in Clinton County in my home state of 
Illinois.
  The thought of Carlyle Lake was created due to the extreme flooding 
caused by the Kaskaskia River. A group of men residing in the area 
decided to create the Kaskaskia River Valley Project in 1933. This 
project then led to the idea of a man-made lake. The Flood Control Act 
of 1938 granted authorization for the construction of what eventually 
became Carlyle Lake. Due to the commencement of World War II the 
original construction plan was put to a halt.
  In 1950, after the war subsided, attorney Eldon E. Hazlet took 
interest in the construction of the lake. He formed the Kaskaskia 
Valley Association, whose member's sole purpose was to convince the 
public for the need of a lake. After gaining enough public support, the 
Army Corps of Engineers made a revised plan of construction for the 
lake. Twenty years after the date of the original authorization; the 
Federal government signed off on the construction of Carlyle Lake in 
1958. The Carlyle Lake Project was completed in April 1967, and the dam 
was dedicated in June of the same year.
  Over the years Carlyle Lake has become a popular attraction for those 
in the area as well as for tourists. Visitors can enjoy the scenery, 
lie on the beach, or rent a boat out to coast on the water. The 
creation of this lake has allowed the economy to prosper. It has also 
led to the creation of the Eldon Hazlet State Park; they named this 
park after him because of his leadership in the advancement of Carlyle 
Lake. Tourists and townspeople can fish, camp, and hike in this state 
park.
  The City of Carlyle has planned a celebration of the Lakes' 50th 
year. The celebration will begin on June 9th and go through the 11th. 
Throughout the weekend visitors can enjoy a carnival, music festival, 
vintage car show, and much more. The weekend will come to a close with 
a commemoration ceremony for Carlyle Lake.
  I ask that we all join in that celebration as we pay tribute to the 
history and the people who made Carlyle Lake. I salute Carlyle Lake on 
its 50th Anniversary.

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