A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring and congratulating Orient, South Dakota, on the one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary of its founding.

    WHEREAS, Orient was officially organized on October 3, 1887, and became a booming town nicknamed the Metropolis of the Great Ree Valley. Orient was named from a list provided by the Milwaukee Railroad, when John T. Campbell gave land for the townsite stipulating, however, that the town not be named after him; and

    WHEREAS, Orient has been the home of state legislators A.J. Porter, Frank Swope, Oscar Hagen, and Dale Hargens; and Archie McKay, who served twenty years on the Game, Fish and Parks Commission; and

    WHEREAS, the town of Orient has been popular for roller skating, ball games, dances, and motorcycle rallies. Orient has earned twenty-four state championships in boys', girls', women's, and co-ed baseball and softball. Virgil Hansen coached the boys' teams for forty-two years. Girls' and women's coach Kathy Remmers was named 2002 Softball Coach of the Decade and was inducted into the South Dakota Softball Hall of Fame in 2003; and

    WHEREAS, the post office was moved to Orient from Mentone in 1887 and has served the community well for one hundred twenty-five years. The Orient Volunteer Fire Department is recognized for its commitment in updating the fire hall and fire trucks and for training. Orient schools operated from 1888 through 1976. An all-school reunion is planned for July 6, 2012; and

    WHEREAS, Orient survived drought and depression and enjoyed prosperity during the last one hundred twenty-five years and remains today a community of sixty-three town residents and many rural supporters. The citizens of Orient, in gratitude for the heritage of faith and community spirit passed down through the generations, are enthusiastically planning a celebration to commemorate Orient's quasquicentennial on July 6-8, 2012:

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Eighty-seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that Orient, South Dakota, be congratulated for one hundred twenty-five years of contribution to its local area and to the state, and best wishes be extended to the citizens of Orient for continued prosperity and community dedication in its future.