[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         A TRIBUTE TO THE GREATER PATCHOGUE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL P. FORBES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. FORBES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in the House of Representatives 
to ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Greater Patchogue 
Chamber of Commerce, as the business owners and residents of this 
historic South Shore, Long Island community celebrate the Chamber's 
75th anniversary.
  Born in the days when many residents of this beautiful, seaside 
village still earned their living on the waters of the Great South Bay, 
raking clams and oysters from the sand. As the main center of commerce 
on the South Shore of Suffolk County, Patchogue boasted a thriving Main 
Street business district. Still, many understood the need to coordinate 
their efforts to promote the goods and services of Patchogue's 
merchants. On February 8, 1924, the Long Island Advance editorial page 
advocated the creation of a Chamber of Commerce to market Patchogue to 
consumers across Long Island. A month later, the Chamber held its first 
meeting.
  The members of the Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce are 
accomplished business, education and civic leaders who are dedicated to 
the success of this historic Long Island village. For the past 75 
years, the great citizens have built a lasting legacy, giving of their 
time, talents and treasures to make our community a better place to 
live, work and raise a family.
  The Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce organizes many community-
building activities, from the Christmas Tree lighting and Holiday Party 
to the Annual Clam and Crab Festival and St. Patrick's Day parade. 
Throughout the year, the Chamber organizes several creative marketing 
promotions, in an effort to draw shoppers and tourists into Patchogue's 
historic downtown and water front areas. Their spirited and creative 
efforts helped Patchogue weather tough times in the local economy and 
helped the Village maintain its status as the premier shopping area in 
Suffolk.
  Anniversaries are a time to reflect upon the past and to look toward 
new horizons. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to 
join me in commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Greater Patchogue 
Chamber of Commerce. All of us who are about our Long Island home thank 
each of the members of the Chamber for all they have done to make 
Patchogue such a great place to live and shop.

                          ____________________