[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E993]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE TO CONNIE LOUDERBACK AND MEMBERS OF THE GOLDEN, ILLINOIS 
                           HISTORICAL SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 1999

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate Connie Loudermilk and the Golden, Illinois Historical 
Society for their efforts to preserve Prairie Mills in Golden.
  Prairie Mills was built by Henry R. Emminga in 1872. It operated for 
60 years and served as a key component of Golden and the surrounding 
area. Today, it serves perhaps an even more important role as a 
reminder of the way things used to be.
  Connie Loudermilk, Randy Kurfman and other members of the Golden 
Historical Society are working very hard to raise funds and awareness 
to help preserve the mill and enhance its prospects for the future.
  I want to commend Connie and Randy as well as Jim Simpson, Dave 
Weese, Bob Teel, Ben Booth and all the other volunteers involved in 
this worthwhile effort. I also want to thank the Illinois Country 
Living magazine for featuring Prairie Mills and the Society's efforts 
in its January 1999 edition.
  The efforts they are making will last for generations to come.

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