[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 65 (Friday, April 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  MORRISTOWN, NJ: THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, April 7, 1995
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
town which is the heart of my Congressional District, the historical 
town of Morristown, NJ, which celebrated the 130th anniversary of its 
incorporation into Morris County on April 6.
  Like many early colonial American towns, Morristown was settled by 
Puritans searching for religious freedom, as well as industrious 
newcomers from the coast hoping to capitalize on the wealth of the 
land. In 1738 the Puritans established their church on the town's 
square or ``Green'' and proceeded to harvest the bounty of the land and 
the richness in the hills. This spirit of freedom and industriousness 
proved to be the rock upon which was built one of our Nation's greatest 
towns.
  Perhaps, Morristown is most famous for being the military capital of 
the American Revolution. Gen. George Washington chose the town for its 
strategic location, iron industry, and citizens' loyalty to the cause 
of colonial independence. The Continental Army camped there for two 
bitter winters, with Washington making his headquarters at the home of 
the early industrialist Jacob Ford. In 1933, President Herbert Hoover 
established Washington's headquarters at the Ford Mansion as our 
Nation's first National Historic Park.
  After the war and throughout the 19th century, Morristown prospered 
as the region's industrial capital, in addition to being the county 
seat of government and an area retail center. The town started to take 
on a new look with the advent of the railroad. Now only a short train 
trip from Hoboken, the wealthy financiers and industrialists of New 
York City could get away to the rolling hills and healthy climate of 
Morristown during the summer months. In fact, one of the town's main 
thoroughfares, Madison Avenue, became known as ``Millionaires' Row.''
  Less celebrated at the time, yet more important to the town's future, 
were the other new groups of people locating in the town--immigrants. 
Since the middle of the 19th century, Morristown has been rejuvenated 
each generation by a new group of ethnic Americans. Germans, Irish, 
Italians, African-Americans from the South after the Civil War, Jews, 
Hispanics, Asians, and East Europeans from the former Soviet Union; all 
leaving an indelible mark on the history and culture of the town.
  Today, Morristown is not known for its celebrity residents such as 
when it was graced by the likes of inventor Alfred Vail or the infamous 
cartoonist Thomas Nast. Instead, the citizens of Morristown, and the 
spirit that they harbor, are the beacon that attracts people and 
businesses from across the country and around the world to this small 
but vibrant town. So congratulations Morristown--you are the spirit of 
America.


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