[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 136 (Friday, September 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1729-E1730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS TO UNION- TOWN, PA, AS IT MARKS ITS 200TH BIRTHDAY

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                           HON. FRANK MASCARA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 1996

  Mr. MASCARA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment today to 
congratulate the residents of the historic city of Uniontown, PA, 
located in my district, as they celebrate their bicentennial on October 
5, 1996.
  Two hundred years ago, in 1796, this beautiful town, nestled in the 
foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, was officially incorporated as 
a borough. From its earliest days, it held a major spot in the 
country's history.
  From its beginnings, Uniontown was considered an important market 
spot, drawing buyers and sellers alike from southwestern Pennsylvania 
and neighboring Maryland and West Virginia. This economic activity 
helped Uniontown become a popular resting stop along the Nation's first 
national highway which ran through the center of town. As such, 
Uniontown played a crucial role in encouraging the growth and movement 
of our Nation westward.
  Uniontown also holds the distinction of being one of the centers of 
the Whiskey Rebellion, the Farmers Tax Revolt of 1791-94, which was a 
major test of the new U.S. Constitution. It is also the birthplace of 
such notables as Chief Justice of the Washington Territory, Charles 
Boyle; Industrialist J.V. Thompson; former U.S. Senator Dr. Daniel 
Sturgeon; Mason-Dixon Surveyor Alexander McClean; Revolutionary War 
Gen. Ephraim Douglas; and last, but not least, Five-star Gen. George C. 
Marshall.
  During the late 1880's, Uniontown's fortunes brightened when it 
became a hub of the coal and coke boom. Site of some of the most 
immense deposits of the finest bituminous soft coal in the world, 
companies in and around Uniontown dug the coal from the ground and 
reduced it to coke for steelmaking in thousands of beehive ovens. The 
city quickly became the operational and financial center of

[[Page E1730]]

the coal industry and the mercantile and cultural center for mining 
towns in the surrounding area.
  Perhaps the town's most important attribute, however, is its hundreds 
of civic-minded citizens who share a vision to preserve and revitalize 
this very historic place. In recent years, the community has pulled 
together to promote tourism and economic development. I am confident 
all these efforts will prove to be successful and in the coming years, 
Uniontown will remain a very bright and unique jewel in the heritage of 
our Nation.
  Again, I congratulate all the citizens of Uniontown and know they 
will have a wonderful day to celebrate their beginnings and renew their 
community spirit.

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