[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 108 (Tuesday, August 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE INCORPORATION OF LAKE MARY, FLORIDA

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                           HON. JOHN L. MICA

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 1998

  Mr. MICA. Mr. Speaker, It is my pleasure to congratulate the City of 
Lake Mary, Florida on its twenty fifth anniversary of incorporation.
  The City of Lake Mary began in the 1800's as two settlements on the 
shore of the lake for which it is named. The area was originally know 
as Bent's Station, named after a man who lived there and planted 
several large orange groves. Later, a minister, J. F. Sundell, moved to 
the area with the lake's namesake, his wife Mary. The first seeds of 
the city that now prospers there were planted in Seminole County, whose 
history dates back to the Seminole Indian wars in the 1800's.
  The town was built between Sanford and Orlando along the route of a 
narrow gauge railroad. While Lake Mary's beginnings date back to the 
19th century it was officially incorporated as a city on August 7, 
1973. In 1923 the first Lake Mary Chamber of Commerce was established. 
By the 1960's the area was being surrounded by new developments. To 
establish its distinct personality as a community the Chamber of 
Commerce successfully passed a referendum establishing the City of Lake 
Mary in 1973.
  Today the City has grown beyond its original scope as a citrus and 
agriculture community to become the corporate home for some of 
America's largest companies. Lake Mary has preserved much of the 
natural beauty that intermingles with handsome residential 
neighborhoods of the City even in the midst of growth. I am extremely 
pleased to watch Lake Mary blossom as it provides an outstanding locale 
for people to live, work and retire. Lake Mary is a great example of an 
American community with citizens, municipal leaders and local 
businessmen and women coming together over the years to make their city 
outstanding in every respect.
  It is my distinct honor to represent such a model community as the 
City of Lake Mary.
  Congratulations Lake Mary on your first twenty five years!

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