[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E279]]
               HONORING WACO, TEXAS ON ITS 150TH BIRTHDAY

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                           HON. CHET EDWARDS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 1999

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my congratulations to 
the City of Waco on its 150th birthday. A dedicated and hardworking 
breed of Texan has taken Waco from a sleepy pioneer village settled in 
the 1840s to a bustling business and commercial hub ready to move into 
the 21st century. For a century and a half, Waco has taken the best and 
made it better, faced the worst and never retreated but always, always 
moved forward.
  Waco has seen its fair share of boom times and depression, war and 
peace, hot summers and freezing winters. Waco has always shown an 
amazing ability to adapt, and to always remain true to the spirit of 
the first settlers who put down roots on the banks of the Brazos River.
  The first settlers and those who followed in their footsteps would be 
amazed by how Waco has grown and prospered over the past 150 years. 
They would see that the famous Chisolm Trail where millions of cattle 
were driven to northern rail heads is now replaced with an Interstate 
Highway. Interstate 35 is the new concrete and asphalt Chisolm Trail 
that streams with goods going to market and people traveling to the 
four points of the compass.
  The settlers would also see that several bridges now span the great 
Brazos River. A century ago the only way to cross the river was by 
ferry or on a single suspension bridge. These days, Waco has moved from 
ferry rides to family vans and four-wheel drives that easily cross the 
river on steel and concrete bridges.
  The settlers would also see that the Bosque River, has been dammed 
and a glittering lake now provides a stable supply of clean water to 
thousands of Central Texas families. The settlers would also be amazed 
to see mile after mile of homes, schools, hospitals and churches that 
have sprung up in the past 150 years. The settlers would see that the 
clothes are different, the homes are nicer, the people are healthier 
and life is safer.
  What would not amaze those settlers are the people who now call Waco 
home. The early settlers would see in the 21st century Wacoan a 
strength handed down through the generations--a strength reinforced by 
faith and family. What is clear to me is that the settlers of yesterday 
and Wacoans of today share traits that will hold the future citizens in 
good stead for the next 150 years. Those traits includes a devotion to 
family and faith, a willingness to work, a strong streak of 
independence and an ingenuity and doggedness to overcome any obstacle.
  I ask members to join me in congratulating the people of Waco on 150 
years. I also want to extend my best wishes and every wish for success 
to Waco--a city with a proud past and a promising future.

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