On the recordFebruary 14, 2013
my colleague Senator Mike Crapo joins me today in recognizing Madison County's 100-year anniversary. Established on February 18, 1913, by the Idaho legislature and named after our Nation's fourth President, James Madison, Madison County has distinguished itself in its contributions to the success of our State. Five people with connections to Madison County went on to become Governors in the States of Idaho, Michigan, Kansas, and Massachusetts. Two people from the county served in Congress, representing Idaho and Utah. And one man went on to serve as Idaho's Lieutenant Governor, my good friend, Mark Ricks, who served with me during my time as Governor. The people of this county distinguished themselves for helping their neighbors and strangers when the Teton Dam collapsed on June 5, 1976. The ensuing flood spread throughout the valley, uprooting farms and homes. Due to the resiliency of the residents and people helping one another, they quickly overcame the disaster and carried on with their lives. Madison County has a rich agricultural history, with the first irrigation system in the State built in this county. It is home to 21 different century farms; places that have been continuously farmed by the same family for 100 or more years. The rich, fertile soil and abundant water has made the county the eighth largest potato growing area in the Nation, along with an abundance of grain, livestock, and other commodities.…
