[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     75TH ANNIVERSARY OF FAIR LAWN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 16, 1999

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the Borough of Fair 
Lawn on its 75th anniversary as an independent municipality in the 
State of New Jersey. The people of Fair Lawn this year are celebrating 
the many virtues of their wonderful community. Fair Lawn is a good 
place to call home. It has the outstanding schools, safe streets, 
family oriented neighborhoods, civic volunteerism and community values 
that make it an outstanding place to live and raise a family.
  On this occasion, I want to specifically acknowledge the outstanding 
leadership of Fair Lawn's elected officials. Fair Lawn has always 
enjoyed a history of good, sound local government--a tradition carried 
on today by Mayor David Ganz, Deputy Mayor Matthew Ahearn and Borough 
Council members Florence Dobrow, Edward Trawinski and Joseph 
Tedeschiand.
  The community now known as Fair Lawn was home to the Lenni-Lenapi 
Indians before it was settled by the Dutch in the early 1700s. In 1784, 
it became part of a larger area incorporated as Saddle River Township. 
Farming was the predominant industry until the 1880s, when the railroad 
was built. The rail line, along with a trolley to Hackensack that 
opened in 1906, began to transform the area into a suburb for Paterson 
mill workers. The new transportation links also brought Fair Lawn more 
industry of its own. The Fair Lawn Center neighborhood along the 
Passaic River and River Road quickly developed as a commercial center, 
while industry began building factories along the river and more new 
homes followed.
  The growth of industry and homes brought increased population, and 
the new residents' children quickly began to overcrowd the small, 
wooden schoolhouse on Bergen Avenue. School crowding was so bad that 
children in the rapidly expanding Columbia Heights section had to 
attend Hawthorne schools.
  So many parents were dissatisfied with the educational facilities 
provided by Saddle River that they started a movement to secede from 
the township. Initial efforts met with bitter opposition from farmers 
concerned that creation of a new borough would lead to higher taxes. 
The Fair Lawn Improvement Association campaigned in favor of secession 
while opponents formed the Saddle River Township Taxpayers Association.
  The argument came to an end on April 5, 1924, when residents voted in 
a special election to secede from Saddle River Township and form a 
separate borough. The New Jersey Legislature approved the move later 
that year.
  Fair Lawn holds a place in the history of urban planning as home to 
Radburn, one of the nation's first planned communities, built in 1928. 
The 149-acre ``Town for the Motor Age'' contained single-family homes 
and duplexes, townhouses, semi-attached houses and apartments, and was 
intended to be self-sufficient. The corporation behind the project went 
bankrupt during the Depression, but the neighborhood served as a model 
for scores of planned communities around the world.
  Fair Lawn expanded slowly through the pre-war years before hitting 
its greatest period of growth during the 1940's and 1950's. Vast areas 
of farmland were developed for single-family homes and several large 
garden apartment complexes. The population grew from 9,000 in 1940 to 
an estimated peak of about 37,000 in 1968. Fair Lawn Industrial Park on 
Route 208 was developed during the 1950s with several additions in the 
following decade. Among the Industrial Park's corporate residents are 
internationally known firms such as Kodak, Nabisco and Lea & Perrins.
  By 1970, the last large tracts of land had been utilized. The last 
farm in Fair Lawn was a 20-acre tract in the Industrial Park at Fair 
Lawn Avenue. In 1998 this tract started development as apartments.
  What began as an agricultural hamlet has grown into a suburban town 
providing homes, schools, parks and shops for residents and jobs for 
thousands of workers in businesses, offices and industries. Fair Lawn 
today is a thriving, modern community with much to offer for everyone.
  My colleagues, I am certain you would agree with my conviction that 
Fair Lawn is one of the finest communities in the State of New Jersey. 
This community is symbolic of traditional American values. The 
residents work hard, are dedicated to their families, support their 
schools and volunteer to help their neighbors. I ask all my colleagues 
to join me in wishing all its residents continued success.

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