[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 87 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S6249]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______


       TRIBUTE TO THE TOWN OF HUDSON, NH ON ITS 250th ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
people of Hudson, NH, on their town's 250th anniversary. The town's 
residents will begin celebrating this historic occasion on June 21 with 
a number of festivities including a grand ball, parade, and block party 
events. I was proud to participate in this meaningful celebration.
  Hudson's history first dates back to the year 1672 when families 
first settled in the Hudson area. On July 5, 1746, then Governor and 
Command in Chief Benning Wentworth signed the town's first charter. As 
Hudson and the surrounding areas began to grow, the first bridge was 
built across the Merrimack River there in 1827.
  Many descendants of the town's first settlers still live in Hudson. 
Near the end of the 18th century, Simon Robinson settled on the north 
side of the pond later named the Robinson Pond. Originally, the pond 
was called Little Massabesic meaning the place of much water. Some of 
Simon Robinson's descendants still reside there. In addition, James 
Hills was one of the three brothers credited with being the first 
settlers in the town and his great-grandson settled on Alvirne, the old 
181 acre Derry Road homestead, and had several children.
  Hudson opened their first library in 1797. The Nottingham West Social 
Library was founded during that year, and served the town residents for 
50 years. In 1856, the Hudson Center Library opened its doors. Then, in 
1891, Adoniram Greeley gave his private collection of 1,878 books to 
the town. The library was renamed the Greeley Public Library and in 
1908, Alfred Hills donated money for the construction of a new library, 
the Hills Memorial Library.
  Today, the 20,000 people of Hudson still exhibit the Yankee 
traditions and commonsense values of their forefathers. The first 
school houses were built in Hudson in 1806. Since then, the school 
system has grown steadily to include three elementary schools, one 
middle school, and one high school. Alvirne High School has 1,032 
students in grades 9 through 12, including 349 students from 
Litchfield. The police department has 50 officers and staff, the fire 
department has 28 full-time firemen and 26 volunteer firemen. The town 
also has a board of selectmen form of government.
  I congratulate the town of Hudson, and all of the dedicated and 
patriotic citizens there. I am proud to be their Senator.

                          ____________________