[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TOWN OF ONONDAGA CELEBRATES BICENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, as a newly born nation expanded and grew two 
centuries ago, townships in America sprouted amidst the excitement and 
despite great obstacles. Such a town was mine, the Town of Onondaga, 
which this week celebrates its 200th Birthday.
  Although many of the festivities will occur this summer, culminating 
with a Bicentennial Parade on August 15, many are focused now on the 
Annual Dinner Dance April 4.
  I would like to thank the entire Town of Onondaga Bicentennial 
Committee for their important and historic work. I would ask my 
colleagues to join me in congratulating this fine group of civic 
leaders for their dedication to preserving the history which guides us 
into our future.
  They are: L. Jane Tracy, town historian and co-chair; Thomas Andino, 
Jr., town supervisor and co-chair; David and Cathy Hintz; Ken 
Pienkowski; Gwynn Morey; Beatrice Malfitano; Mr. and Mrs. Willie Royal; 
Bonnie Romano; Gary and Karen Livent; Suzanne Belle; Mary Ryan; Charles 
Petrie; Donald Hamilton; Dorotha Schmitz; Leo Kelly; Margaret Chesebro; 
Jeanne Tanner; and Dan Willis.
  On a related note, I am very proud to be one of three Onondaga 
residents in town history to have represented Central New York in 
Congress. The others included my father, William F. Walsh, and one of 
the first settlers, James Geddes, who also served as Town Supervisor in 
1799.
  I am pleased also to mark this memorable time for us in the 
Congressional Record, in addition to presenting a United States flag to 
town leaders in a ceremony April 2.
  Together, these people named today, joined by our fellow residents, 
thank God for our freedom, our country and our homes--just as we pray 
that we will impress on the next generation the importance of what our 
ancestors accomplished and the magnitude of the task. Only from history 
will we learn.

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