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[Page H1495]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING SWEDISH COMMUNITY OF LINDSBORG, KANSAS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Kansas (Mr. Marshall) for 5 minutes.
Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th
anniversary of a town in my district, Lindsborg, Kansas, also known as
Little Sweden.
The town was originally settled in 1869 by hardworking Swedish
farmers who, like my great-grandfather, had left Sweden because of the
potato famine.
These farmers were new to America and new to the landscape and
climate of Kansas. Their goal was to establish a home and community
rich in Swedish culture, religion, and business.
Today, Lindsborg is a bright, vibrant community where retailers
feature unique traditional Swedish treats and artwork; where visitors
can walk up and down the streets and Main Street and find more than 15
wild Dala horses painted to represent a unique piece of Lindsborg's
culture. My own family often has one of these Dala horses in their
entryway as folks enter their house.
It is a community that is proud of its heritage and comes together to
carry on a variety of Swedish festivals and traditions honoring its
original settlers.
I, myself, am one-quarter Swedish and very proud of this fact.
Growing up, we kept many Swedish traditions in our family. We
celebrated them whenever we had the occasion. Still today, our
Christmas Eve dinners always feature various Swedish dishes, including
pickled herring, anchovies, hardtack crackers, Swedish candies, and
desserts. My mom, brother, and wife to this day enjoy their annual
pilgrimage to Lindsborg to pick out their very special Swedish
Christmas gifts.
In 2010, I was able to take my mother back to Sweden, along with my
oldest son and daughter, and view the home that my grandfather had
built; the farm where they farmed; the fences they had built out of
stone; the barns they had built out of stone, still functional and
standing today; and the water well my great-grandfather had dug. All of
those parts of the farm were still functioning.
I was able to see the church where my great-grandfather and great-
grandmother were married and see the cemetery where many of our
relatives are buried to this day. It is a trip I will never forget.
I am very proud of my Swedish roots, and I am honored to represent
Bethany College and the town of Lindsborg. This town will always have a
very special place in my heart, and it is my honor to sponsor the
resolution that celebrates this milestone for Lindsborg. I can't wait
until this year's Messiah Festival, when we will get to watch them live
there in Lindsborg.
Mr. Speaker, I am very proud to represent this Swedish community,
something that will always represent so much to my family.
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