Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-01

RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT

TaxesForeign PolicyAgriculture

Context

On 2026-06-01, Senator James E. Risch (R-ID) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT" in the Senate.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 92 (Monday, June 1, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 92 (Monday, June 1, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2470] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise with my colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Mike Simpson to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the city of Blackfoot. Officially incorporated on January 16, 1901, the city of Blackfoot has helped shape the agricultural heritage that has defined Idaho for generations. Located along its namesake, the Blackfoot River, the city was established with an eye toward the future. Surrounded by a key freight corridor and the historic Tilford Ferry, Blackfoot was also developed near an anticipated telegraphy route, making the area a perfect corridor for growth. Blackfoot's rich soil quickly made it a hub of agriculture, attracting travelers from across the Nation. As more families moved in, Blackfoot's demand for irrigation rose. Early residents went to work, transforming the area into productive farmland by building irrigation ditches and canals that drew water from the Blackfoot River. The beautiful outdoor spaces that resulted from these efforts later inspired Blackfoot's nickname, the ``Grove City,'' which lives on in the Grove City Cemetery. Following the construction of Interstate 15 in the 1960s, Blackfoot experienced significant commercial growth and became a beloved destination. Today, the city is home to the Idaho Potato Museum and the Eastern Idaho State Fair, a tradition dating back to 1902 that now welcomes more than 250,000 attendees each year. As the seat of Bingham County, Blackfoot has produced several leaders who have helped shape Idaho's future. The city was home to Idaho's first U.S. Senator following statehood, Fred Dubois, and the Blackfoot City Council was the first chapter in Congressman Mike Simpson's remarkable career as a public servant. Congratulations to the city of Blackfoot on 125 exceptional years. We are proud to recognize the city and its contributions to the great State of Idaho and its strong path toward future success. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 92 (Monday, June 1, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 92 (Monday, June 1, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2470] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF BLACKFOOT Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, I rise with my colleagues Senator Mike Crapo and Representative Mike Simpson to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the city of Blackfoot. Officially incorporated on January 16, 1901, the city of Blackfoot has helped shape the agricultural heritage that has defined Idaho for generations. Located along its namesake, the Blackfoot River, the city was established with an eye toward the future. Surrounded by a key freight corridor and the historic Tilford Ferry, Blackfoot was also developed near an anticipated telegraphy route, making the area a perfect corridor for growth. Blackfoot's rich soil quickly made it a hub of agriculture, attracting travelers from across the Nation. As more families moved in, Blackfoot's demand for irrigation rose. Early residents went to work, transforming the area into productive farmland by building irrigation ditches and canals that drew water from the Blackfoot River. The beautiful outdoor spaces that resulted from these efforts later inspired Blackfoot's nickname, the ``Grove City,'' which lives on in the Grove City Cemetery. Following the construction of Interstate 15 in the 1960s, Blackfoot experienced significant commercial growth and became a beloved destination. Today, the city is home to the Idaho Potato Museum and the Eastern Idaho State Fair, a tradition dating back to 1902 that now welcomes more than 250,000 attendees each year. As the seat of Bingham County, Blackfoot has produced several leaders who have helped shape Idaho's future. The city was home to Idaho's first U.S. Senator following statehood, Fred Dubois, and the Blackfoot City Council was the first chapter in Congressman Mike Simpson's remarkable career as a public servant. Congratulations to the city of Blackfoot on 125 exceptional years. We are proud to recognize the city and its contributions to the great State of Idaho and its strong path toward future success. ____________________