[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 23, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9804-S9805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF TRUMBULL, CT

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, located in the hilly country of 
southwestern Connecticut in the watershed of the Pequonnock River is 
the quaint residential community of Trumbull. Despite its proximity to 
many highly industrialized cities, Trumbull has been able to preserve 
its small-town New England character and charm, and this year the town 
of Trumbull will celebrate its 200th anniversary.
  The Trumbull area was permanently settled in 1690, and in the 
following years families began migrating to this secluded wilderness 
region, building mills, churches, and schools. In 1725, the settlement 
officially became the village of Unity, and this village was eventually 
absorbed by the larger community of North Stratford. Nearly a century 
after it was settled, the residents began the petition process for 
independence from North Stratford, and in 1797, the general assembly 
granted this request, established town bounds, and declared that this 
area shall forever be a distinct town known by the name of 
``Trumbull.''
  The town was named after one of the most respected families in 
Connecticut history, the Trumbulls of Lebanon, CT. The family's 
patriarch, Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., was the first of four ``Governor 
Trumbulls'' in Connecticut. He was a close ally of George Washington, 
and he was the only colonial Governor to support the Revolution. In 
recognition of his contributions to his State and his country, a statue 
of Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., currently stands in the Statuary Hall of the 
U.S. Capitol.
  His son, Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., also had an illustrious career as an 
early American statesman. He was a member of the U.S. House of 
Representatives where he served as Speaker of the House. He also 
represented the State as a U.S. Senator and was elected Connecticut's 
governor in 1797, shortly after the town of Trumbull was incorporated.
  In addition, Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.'s youngest child, John, was one 
of the most noteworthy American artists known for painting important 
historical events. Today, four of his paintings hang in the U.S. 
Capitol rotunda, his most famous being ``The Surrender of Cornwallis.''
  While the namesakes for this town were truly heroic individuals, the 
many generations of Trumbull residents who have settled this town and 
shepherded its evolution over the years are equally heroic in their own 
right. They met the crises of their times. They worked hard to ensure a 
promising future for their children. They lent a helping hand to their 
neighbors when they were in need. They did all of the things that are 
necessary to sustain a community and help it develop into a wonderful 
place to live.
  Today, Trumbull is a vibrant residential community which is dedicated 
to the preservation of its family-oriented atmosphere. Its schools are 
among the best in the State and the Parent-Teachers Association is very 
active. There are places of worship for more than a dozen different 
religions, strengthening the fabric of the community and adding to its 
diversity. More

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than 1,000 acres of town-owned open space are set aside for 
recreational use, and Trumbull is renowned for its numerous public 
parks. Trumbull has also invested in its children by establishing an 
excellent youth sports program. In fact, one of the town's and the 
State of Connecticut's proudest moments came when a resilient group of 
11- and 12-year-olds from Trumbull pulled off one of the greatest 
upsets in baseball history and won the Little League World Series in 
1988.
  Trumbull's motto is ``Pride in our past. Faith in our future.'' I 
would like to personally say that the people of Trumbull should be very 
proud of their town's history and heritage. But more important, I have 
complete faith that the future for the people of Trumbull will be even 
brighter than the past. I congratulate the town of Trumbull on this 
historic milestone and offer my best wishes for future centuries of 
success and prosperity.

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