[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 84 (Tuesday, June 28, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     HONORING THE VILLAGE OF SOLVAY

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise today to speak in 
celebration of the village of Solvay on the occasion of their 100th 
anniversary of incorporation. On May 31 the village of Solvay enacted a 
centennial festival which began with a ceremony whereby honored guests 
presented proclamations to the village. This celebration will continue 
through the 21st of October with appropriate fanfare. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in celebrating the longevity, success, and 
patriotism of the people of Solvay, NY.
  The village of Solvay was originally referred to as the town of 
Geddes after James Geddes. Beginning in the late 1800's, 20 business 
and industrial leaders met to discuss the incorporation of the village 
of Solvay. The meetings were led by Frederick R. Hazard, president of 
Solvay Works. The village was located in the town of Geddes and county 
of Onondaga and contained one and one-quarter square miles of property. 
The population at the time was approximately 1,761.
  On May 31, 1894, the town of Geddes became officially called the 
village of Solvay. Solvay's first governing body included many of the 
20 business leaders that had originally met in efforts to incorporate 
Solvay. In 1898, the village's first budget was adopted and taxes were 
to be collected.
  Solvay's governing body posed an annexation in 1909 to become a part 
of Syracuse, but the voters defeated the proposal. Later in 1957, 
Solvay's population was great enough to be considered a city, however, 
the village declined preferring to keep its former title. Finally in 
1986, a committee drafted a proposal and submitted it to Albany as a 
study bill. This bill was never taken out of the committee, therefore, 
shattering any hopes of Solvay becoming a city.
  Over the past century, Solvay has shown great economical growth in 
many instances, beginning in 1884 when the Solvay Process Plant 
provided hundreds of jobs as it ran 24 hours a day--7 days a week. By 
1890, the New York State Fair had opened in Solvay and, once again, 
brought economic wealth to the small village. However, the major boom 
in Solvay's history occurred when the village bought and installed its 
own lighting system. Today, they still rank as one of the few and the 
oldest municipalities in the country.
  I am proud to represent Solvay and villages like it. It is people 
like the good people of Solvay who make up the fabric of American life. 
I ask my colleagues to recognize the values of Solvay and celebrate the 
ability of this incorporated village to continue to prosper and develop 
over a century of change. I salute the residents of Solvay, and 
congratulate each of you on your 100th anniversary. Congratulations and 
best wishes for continued prosperity.

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