[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S7789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING TWO RIVERS LANDING VISITOR CENTER

  Mr. SANTORUM. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention 
to the recently completed Two Rivers Landing Visitor Center located in 
Easton, PA.
  On July 16, 1996 a new state-of-the-art cultural visitor center will 
open its doors to the public permitting visitors to experience the 
unique wonders of Easton and its surrounding communities. The visitor 
center embodies a highly successful public-private partnership between 
the Federal Government, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, private industry, 
community leaders and local lenders. The Two Rivers Landing Visitor 
Center represents the anchor project in the Easton Economic Development 
Corporation's strategic plan for revitalizing Easton.
  Primarily, the visitor center will celebrate the historic 
accomplishments of Binney & Smith, Inc., makers of Crayola crayons 
through a Crayola Factory display. In addition, the visitor center will 
highlight the natural beauty and assets of the Easton region through a 
National Canal Museum and National Heritage Corridor and State Heritage 
Parks Center.
  Unquestionably, the highlight of the Two Rivers Landing Visitor 
Center will be the Crayola factory. The factory will allow visitors the 
opportunity to experience first-hand how a Crayola crayon is molded, 
labeled, and packaged. The Crayola factory component will allow 
visitors the opportunity to creatively interact with Crayola products 
in a range of different mediums.
  Mr. President, for generations Americans of all ages have experienced 
the joy and magic of Crayola crayons. Crayola crayons have become a 
part of our lives not only as children, but also as parents and 
grandparents. It is estimated that 20,000 visitors travel to the Binney 
& Smith, Inc. Forks Township, PA manufacturing facility each year to 
witness the creation of these crayons. The number of visitors is even 
more astounding when one realizes that the current manufacturing plant 
tour uses no advertising or promotions whatsoever. With these facts in 
mind, I hope my colleagues will join me in observing a National Day of 
Color in honor of this opening.
  I hope that the visitors center will also act as a local hub to 
direct tourists to the region's other enriching attractions--children's 
shows and performances at the nearby State Theater, the canal boat ride 
and locktender's house located at Huge Moore Park, the fish ladder on 
the Delaware River, activities occurring at Lafayette College, local 
restaurants, local retailers, other regional events, and Bushkill Park.
  Mr. President, it has been 3 years since proposals were unveiled to 
create a visitor center that would help revitalize downtown Easton. 
Those who have had the privilege to tour the facility prior to its 
grand opening indicate that the facility has successfully captured the 
spirit and history of the Easton region.
  The Two Rivers Landing Visitor Center will expose many new visitors 
to the rich heritage of Easton, while at the same time, stimulating the 
economy of the region. I would like to congratulate the parties 
involved in this undertaking on a job well done.

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