[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 40 (Tuesday, April 8, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pappas] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, today I join with the people of West Windsor 
Township, NJ, in celebrating the township's bicentennial. It was on 
this day 200 years ago the New Jersey State legislature divided the 
township of Windsor, which was once a part of the William Penn land 
grant, into East and West Windsor.
  At the time West Windsor was part of Middlesex County, but in the 
1830's West Windsor was again divided, taking about 8 square miles away 
to form a part of what is now Princeton Township. After the 
Revolutionary War, the township became part of Mercer County, which was 
named in recognition of General Mercer, a Revolutionary War hero.
  As we look back on the past 200 years, we discover that West Windsor 
has been home to some significant occurrences in our Nation's military 
history. The turning point in the Revolutionary War, the Battle of 
Princeton, which became the Battle of Trenton, was fought in West 
Windsor Township. Years later during World Wars I and II, it was the 
agricultural products of the township, its fruits and vegetables, that 
were sent to Fort Dix to feed our troops.
  A great deal has changed in West Windsor over the past 200 years. The 
dreams and spirit that once fought a war are helping to lead the 
township into the new century. Today the township of 27 square miles is 
home to many high-tech businesses.
  West Windsor continues to grow and thrive as a community of new 
residents and businesses and industry. Just recently Raytheon chose 
West Windsor as the location for its engineering division. Raytheon 
will join NycoMed, Berlitz, LogicWorks, and Bristol Myers Squibb as 
companies that have chosen the township as their place of business. 
These businesses, like its people, continue to be on the cutting edge.
  But even as West Windsor continues to move toward the future and 
corporations continue to choose it as their home, the township remains 
committed to preserving its past. While many communities in America 
struggle between the desire to entice businesses and a willingness to 
preserve open space, West Windsor has certainly found a balance.
  The town has worked hard to maintain the quality of life and the 
environment of the community. Forty percent of all the land in the 
township is designated as nonbuildable open space. I am told that Mayor 
Tom Frascella's goal is to increase the percentage of open space to 50 
percent. It is the people of West Windsor over the years, its service 
organizations and elected officials, that have been responsible for the 
current growth and prosperity that the township enjoys.
  It is not surprising that in all that has happened in the past, and 
in recognition of the positive direction that they are headed for in 
the future, New Jersey Monthly Magazine recognized West Windsor as one 
of the 15 best communities in New Jersey, and Philadelphia Magazine 
also recognized the township as one of the 15 best communities in 
suburban Philadelphia.
  Over the coming months West Windsor has a number of events planned to 
celebrate its bicentennial. Shows, festivals, concerts, and parades 
will run throughout the year. I applaud the efforts of the dedicated 
volunteers, elected officials such as Mayor Frascella, and the local 
business owners that are committed to sharing the past and preserving 
the future of this town. Their pride and optimism for the future is 
what sets West Windsor apart.
  I am proud to represent this community in the U.S. Congress. If the 
next 200 years are anything like the first 200 years, we can expect to 
continue to see great things from this Mercer County community. 
Congratulations to the people of West Windsor Township.

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