[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 88 (Thursday, May 25, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     TRIBUTE TO THE CITY OF LAUREL

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, celebrations to commemorate the 
125th anniversary of the establishment of the city of Laurel, MD, are 
being held throughout this year. The mayor of Laurel, Frank Casula, 
along with the entire community, have planned several significant 
events to commemorate this milestone.
  First known as the ``Commissioners of Laurel,'' the citizens of 
Laurel established their home as recognized by the laws of Maryland in 
1870. Yet, even before then, the people of Prince Georges County were 
living off the land now known as Laurel. The first grist mill that was 
erected in Laurel would be the outset of community development; many 
industries, storefronts, offices and homes would eventually appear 
along that particular stretch along the Patuxent River. Creating what 
is now known as Laurel's Main Street, the mill built by Nicolas Snowden 
in 1811, had laid the foundation for a thriving community.
  By 1888, Laurel was the largest town in Prince Georges County and had 
become the focal point along the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad between 
Baltimore and Washington, DC. In 1879, the Laurel Leader, one of the 
oldest newspapers in the State of Maryland, was founded. The Leader 
continues to serve not only Laurel and Prince Georges County, but also 
the bordering counties of Howard, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel.
  Laurel was also a pioneering community in education. The first public 
high school in Prince Georges County is located in Laurel. Laurel 
Elementary School was also the first public school in the county to 
have a cafeteria to serve its students.
  Laurel is a model of community spirit and cooperation. The activities 
being sponsored to commemorate this auspicious occasion exemplify the 
deep devotion of Laurel's residents to their community. The spirit and 
enthusiasm of Laurel's citizens have been the foundation of its 
success. These celebrations provide the opportunity to renew the 
dedication that has supported Laurel throughout its history and helped 
it to develop from a railroad stop to one of Prince Georges County's 
most attractive communities.
  We in Maryland are fortunate to have an area as community-oriented as 
Laurel. I join the citizens of Prince Georges County in sharing their 
pride in Laurel's past and optimism for continued success in the years 
to come.


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