[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 98 (Friday, July 11, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       THE ST. ALBANS CENTENNIAL

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr, President, the city of St. Albans, VT, this 
year celebrates its centennial, and thousands of citizens turned out on 
July 5 to mark the occasion in a festive and flawless celebration 
blessed by Vermont's glorious July weather.
  There was a grand parade organized by the St. Albans Rotary Club. 
There was music. There were recollections and mementos of the city's 
rich history. And there was a community photograph.
  In an article about the centennial published in the Burlington Free 
Press, reporter Richard Cowperthwait captured the festivities and the 
sense of history that all Vermonters share. Included in the article is 
this apt observation from St. Albans Mayor Peter DesLauriers: ``We've 
gone through the life and death of our railroad; we've gone through 
fires; we've gone through all of these things and today--right now--I 
think we're literally on the top of the heap here.''
  Mr. President, I ask that the article be printed in the Record.
  The article follows:

             [From the Burlington Free Press, July 6, 1997]

                    St. Albans Celebrates 100 years

                       (By Richard Cowparthwalt)

       St. Albans.--The Main Street banner said it all Saturday; 
     ``Celebrate St. Albans.''
       That is just what thousands did on a resplendent day that 
     marked the city's centennial. Activities ranged from an hour-
     long parade, ethnic festival and community photograph to 
     fireworks at nearby St. Albans Bay.
       ``I don't know how they could ever top this,'' St. Albans 
     resident Madonna Vernal said. ``It's a beautiful place.''
       During the past century, the city has seen its ups and 
     downs. It has evolved from a booming railroad hub to a 
     depressed area with double-digit unemployment to a once-
     again-lively county seat with a rising economy.
       ``It's a very proud day for the City of Albans,'' Police 
     Chief David Demag said. ``This event was very impressive. It 
     was very much hometown USA.''
       City officials, residents and visitors from as far away as 
     Belgium pointed to the success of the day and the beauty of 
     downtown Taylor Park. It is situated in the midst of the St. 
     Albans Historic District, between turn-of-the century brick 
     buildings on Main Street and the imposing churches, Franklin 
     Superior Courthouse and St. Albans Historical Society museum 
     building on Church Street.
       ``I'm impressed by the buildings'' as well as by the 
     friendliness of the people, said Myriam Van Dooren, a Belgian 
     who is visiting friends in Fairfield.
       Mayor Peter DesLauriers said the city's centennial 
     homecoming celebration came off without a hitch on a day that 
     had abundant sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. The 
     pleasant conditions contrasted sharply with Friday's 
     unsettled weather that did not stop a crowd estimated at more 
     than 500 from turning out on Taylor Park for seven hours of 
     musical entertainment.
       DesLauriers said the city of about 7,600 has persevered 
     through trying times since its first mayor and aldermen were 
     elected March 2, 1997--109 years after the town of St. Albans 
     was organized.
       ``We've gone through the life and death of our railroad; 
     we've gone through fires; we've gone through all of these 
     things and today--right now--I think we're literally on the 
     top of the heap here, ``DesLauriers said.
       ``The morning parade, which was organized by the St. Albans 
     Rotary Club, was the signature event of the centennial. There 
     were about 30 floats with St. Albans' history on display. 
     They ranged from legendary local musician Sterling Weed 
     driving a horse-drawn wagon to a depiction of the Oct 19, 
     1864, Civil War raid that put St. Albans on the map.
       Following the parade, a crowd gathered near the 
     intersection of Main and Bank streets for a community 
     photograph by local photographer Leonard Parent.
       ``I wish we could do this more often, not just once every 
     100 years,'' City Council member James Pelkey said.

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