[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 97 (Thursday, July 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1392-E1393]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      THE BOROUGH OF PHILIPSBURG--200 YEARS OF HISTORY AND SPIRIT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BUD SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 1997

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 200th 
anniversary of the founding of one of the great boroughs in my 
congressional district, the borough of Philipsburg in Centre County, 
PA.
  Philipsburg is located in the Moshannon Valley, a region rich in 
history and spirit. The area was a dense wilderness in 1794 when two 
Englishmen, one by the name of Henry Philips, decided to settle on a 
tract of land in a mountainous region beside Moshannon Creek. The only 
road into town was a footpath, a far cry from modern Philipsburg's 
transportation network. In 1797, Philips and his partner attracted the 
first 12 settlers by offering them each a house lot in town and 4 acres 
of land. These 12 individuals faced a formidable task in carving out a 
settlement from the thick forest. Nevertheless, by winter of that same 
year, sings of civilization appeared in the form of cabins and mills, 
and the first use of the word ``Philipsburg'' appeared in the daybook 
of the Philips' store. Over the next 67 years, the settlement matured 
into a thriving community, finally being incorporated

[[Page E1393]]

as the town of Philipsburg by petition on November 29, 1864.
  Although the face of Philipsburg has changed in its evolution, its 
most basic tenets have not. Since its formation, Philipsburg has been a 
growth-oriented community well-known for its residents' strong work 
ethic and sense of family values. Residents truly appreciate the value 
of an honest day's work and take great pride in their efforts. These 
characteristics make the town and the Moshannon Valley as a whole very 
attractive to business and industry. Indeed, the success and expansion 
of several local businesses offers testimony to the caliber of the work 
force. The fact that several national corporations have chosen 
Philipsburg as home also reflects their overall confidence in the 
region.
  Nevertheless, there is more to a community than its history and 
development. For some, the most important component of a community is 
its character, especially for those individuals seeking an exception 
quality of life. True to form, Philipsburg does not disappoint in this 
category either. The beauty and serenity of the surrounding hills truly 
make it an ideal place to live. Each season distinctly enhances the 
town's natural beauty, whether it be the colorful fall foliage of the 
peaceful blanket of winter's snow. Recreation and other activities 
abound within the area. Festivals, parades, church suppers, and youth 
sports are embraced by the community as a whole and evoke a sense of 
hometown atmosphere to native residents and newcomers alike. Visitors 
are not viewed as strangers as is so often the case today, but treated 
as family.
  Mr. Speaker, I am indeed privileged to serve such an idyllic and 
distinguished community. I urge you and all of our colleagues to join 
me in wishing the citizens of Philipsburg a very happy 200th 
anniversary with positive outlook for another 200 years of continued 
growth and prosperity.

                          ____________________