[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               HONORING 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF HARWICH, MA

                                 ______


                          HON. GERRY E. STUDDS

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 1994

  Mr. STUDDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great American town, 
Harwich, MA, which was incorporated exactly 300 years ago tomorrow. 
From its beginning--when Gov. William Phips signed the Act of 
Incorporation on September 14, 1694--Harwich has been wedded to the 
sea.
  Fishing has always been vital to the town, and that tradition 
continues today. The ocean is now the main attraction for tourism, the 
town's principal industry.
  In the mid-19th century, Harwich was one of the three largest fishing 
centers on Cape Cod. By 1849, 48 ships employed 577 men and boys, 
sailing from wharves up to 1,000 feet long. Five years earlier, Sidney 
Brooks founded Pine Grove Seminary, one of the country's first schools 
of navigation.
  Around the same time, businessmen in Harwich began developing the 
first commercial production of cranberries by implementing a system of 
bogs. In 1855, the booming business led to the founding of two banks--
the Bank of Cape Cod and Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank--and the 
construction of the Exchange Building, then the tallest building on the 
Cape.
  By 1884, a new, even taller, Exchange Building had taken its place, 
and it became the center of business, political and cultural events on 
the Cape.
  Soon thereafter, Harwich started turning into a popular summer 
retreat, with seasonal cottages, guest houses, tea rooms and three 
hotels popping up. Gradually, the town became known as a beautiful 
resort, a distinction it still holds today.
  To commemorate the town's 300th birthday, the residents of Harwich 
have planned a spectacular celebration tomorrow, capped off by a laser 
light show specially designed for the occasion.
  With its natural beauty--and economic base of light industry and 
tourism--the town of Harwich is poised to prosper for at least 300 more 
years. Mr. Speaker, I'm certain I speak for the entire Congress when I 
say to the residents of Harwich: ``Congratulations and good luck. May 
the town continue in good stead for another 300 years.''

                          ____________________