[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 14 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF WORCESTER--THE HEARTBEAT OF 
                        MASSACHUSETTS--1848-1998

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 1998

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, on February 29, 1848, Governor George W. 
Briggs signed a charter, drafted by local citizens and authorized by 
the General Court, which transformed Worcester from a town to a city.
  January 7, 1997 was the day that I took the oath of office and became 
a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives--representing the City of 
Worcester and thirty-three other towns and cities in Massachusetts. And 
in those initial moments as a Member of Congress, I began to dream. I 
thought of the magnificent objectives that could be achieved during the 
years to come if we were able to commit ourselves to a shared vision 
for this marvelous city. Without question, our ancestors had such 
dreams.
  The first Mayor of Worcester, Levi Lincoln, made the following 
remarks upon leaving office in 1849. ``* * * And now, Gentlemen, in 
leaving these seats to our successors, we leave to them, also, the 
fruits of our labors and of our experience, whatever may be their 
value. We leave to them a new form of organized municipal Government, 
in all its departments in successful operation, with a system of rules 
and ordinances, unquestionably somewhat imperfect and requiring 
modification and amendment, yet the basis of all necessary legislation 
for the administration of the affairs of the City. We leave them our 
best hopes and our truest good wishes for the performance of their 
official duties with satisfaction to their own minds, and to the 
approval of their constituents, and the lasting benefit and prosperity 
of our beloved City. They assume high trusts, and heavy 
responsibilities. The peace and happiness of thousands of citizens, and 
the security and enjoyment of millions of property, will, in a greater 
or less degree, be affected by the manner in which these 
responsibilities shall be met, and these trusts discharged.''
  On the occasion of Worcester's 50th anniversary, Frank Roe Batchelder 
wrote:

     Five decades have her children kept
       Her civic honor free from stain,
     While with the world she's laughed and wept
       And shared her country's loss and gain.

     She toils and ventures, strives and builds,
       And seeks to sweeten life for all
     The craftsmen of her thousand guilds
       Who answer to her every call.

     Crowned by the smoke of many mills
       She welcomes workers to her gate;
     And in her children's hearts instills
       Love for the toil that makes her great.

     Patron of every useful thing,
       She sits at Learning's feet, nor finds
     Her glory less that she should bring
       Her tribute to the might of minds.

     Yet does she make, when all is said,
       No product more desired of men,
     No brighter chaplet for her head,
       Than her grand type of citizen.

     In war and peace, in school and shop,
       Beyond the knowledge of her name,
     Rising insistent to the top,
       Those she has bred have brought her fame.

     When her bright century is run,
       Be ours to have our children say
     Their service is the better done
       For that we render her to-day.

  The heart of Worcester beats the rhythm of progress as she boldly 
moves in to the 21st Century. This heartbeat is deeply rooted in a 
strong sense of pride in Worcester's past and reflects not only a deep 
appreciation for the cultural, religious and ethnic heritage of its 
people but a legacy of greatness as well.
  I am proud to call Worcester my home.

                          ____________________