[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 50 (Thursday, April 18, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3688-S3689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise to join the people of 
Maryland in celebrating the tricentennial anniversary of the founding 
of Prince Georges County on April 23, 1696. Over the centuries the 
residents and leadership of Prince Georges County have demonstrated a 
remarkable commitment to preserving their rich historic legacy, while 
encouraging economic growth and cultural enrichment.
  While evidence suggests that the first human settlements in the area 
later to be called Prince Georges County existed over 10,000 years ago, 
the first documented visit to the region occurred in 1608 when Captain 
John Smith sailed up the Potomac River to map the Chesapeake Bay region 
and search for food for the fledgling Jamestown Colony. Captain Smith 
paid only a brief visit to this region which, less than a century 
later, would be home to about 1,700 Marylanders. This rich land 
extending from Mattawoman Creek in the south all the way to the 
Pennsylvania border was proclaimed a self-governing county by the 
colonial Governor in 1696, and was named Prince Georges County in honor 
of Prince George of Denmark, husband of Princess Anne, heir to the 
throne of England.
  Due to the abundance of fertile farm land, agriculture dominated the 
local economy in colonial times, contributing to the livelihood of 
almost every Prince Georges County inhabitant. Preservation of this 
important aspect of colonial life has remained a priority to the 
residents of Prince Georges County who, through groups such as the 
Accokeek Foundation, work to maintain the National Colonial Farm, 
displaying to all a continuum of American farm life from the 1600's 
through the 18th century.
  Evidence of the importance of the agricultural economy in southern 
Maryland remains in many aspects of Prince Georges County life, 
including the Maryland higher education system. In 1856, in order to 
educate the sons of colonial farmers and to foster the exchange of new 
ideas, the Maryland Agricultural College--the first of its kind in the 
Nation--was established in Prince Georges County. Today we know the 
Maryland Agricultural College as the University of Maryland College 
Park, the flagship institution of the University of Maryland system.

[[Page S3689]]

  While agriculture was the predominant force in the Prince Georges 
County economy, the push for western expansion in Maryland led to the 
growth of thriving commercial and trading centers such as Upper 
Marlboro, Laurel and Bladensburg. Cotton mills, steamboats, and 
railroads resulted in increased commercial development, strengthening 
the county's ties with Europe and other American colonies and leading 
to increased economic development.
  This early entrepreneurial spirit continues to flourish and thrive 
today. Prince Georges County is now home to over 13,600 businesses 
which employ over 223,700 workers. Major employers including Giant 
Food, United Parcel Service, and Dimensions Health Corporation serve to 
make Prince Georges County a prime example of a large and prospering 
business community, while the Prince Georges County Economic 
Development Corporation has been nationally recognized for its programs 
to assist individual entrepreneurs and small minority-owned businesses.
  The county's close proximity to the District of Columbia has been 
another factor in its evolution and maturation. Over the years towns 
and cities have sprung up to meet the needs of a growing community of 
Federal employees who increasingly choose to live outside the Federal 
city in suburban Maryland. Towns such as Takoma Park, New Carrollton, 
Greenbelt, and District Heights are home to the over 87,000 Federal 
employees who work both in the District and at the many Federal 
installations which are located in modern Prince Georges County.
  Prince Georges County is today one of the Nation's largest and most 
vibrant subdivisions, winning widespread acclaim and national 
recognition for its success in promoting diversity and opening up the 
doors of opportunity for all of its citizens. This well-deserved 
reputation as a national model is due to a strong sense of community 
and cooperation among its residents and to enlightened and visionary 
leadership. In the forefront of these efforts have been our respected 
Governor and former Prince Georges County Executive Parris Glendening, 
two of my distinguished colleagues in the Congress, Representatives 
Steny Hoyer and Albert Wynn, and the present dynamic County Executive 
Wayne Curry.
  Such citizens and leaders throughout history have guided Prince 
Georges County from a region of frontier wilderness and rural 
plantations to today's modern urban communities and advanced 
agricultural centers. Prince Georges County has adapted to meet the 
changes wrought by the centuries, while preserving the evidence of 300 
years of growth and progress. This tricentennial celebration pays 
tribute to the rich legacy of our Maryland ancestors and bears 
testament to the limitless promise and potential of Prince Georges 
County.

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