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SENATE COMMEMORATION NO. 15
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Introduced by: Senator Brown and Representatives Cronin and Hoffman
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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.