[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 82 (Thursday, June 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMEMORATING THE BICENTENNIAL OF CAYUGA COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 10, 1999

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the 200th Anniversary of Cayuga County, located in my home 
district in upstate New York. It has a proud and distinguished history.
  Cayuga County was established by the State Legislature as the 28th 
designated county in New York State. Many of the first settlers were 
veterans of the Revolutionary War, such as Colonel John Hardenbergh, 
whose settlement grew to become the City of Auburn. Auburn eventually 
became the largest community in the State west of Utica in the early 
years, as it served as a junction of the major turnpikes traveled by 
the westward settlers.
  Many prominent political and historical figures who helped to shape 
our nation were citizens of Cayuga County, including Millard Fillmore, 
the 13th President of the United States; William H. Seward, the 
Governor of New York State from 1838-1842, a United States Senator from 
1849-1861, and the Secretary of State for Presidents Lincoln and 
Johnson; Enos Throop, who served as a representative in Congress from 
1814-1816, the Lieutenant Governor, and later as Governor of New York 
State; John Tabor, the last Republican full Appropriations Committee 
Chairman from New York State from 1952-54, and abolitionist Harriet 
Tubman. Additionally, inventions that have invaluably contributed to 
our way of life and which stem from Cayuga County include harvesters, 
carriage axles, threshing machines, adding machines, and motion picture 
sound.
  Today, Auburn is the industrial center of Cayuga County with the 
production of shoes, carpets, rope, railroad locomotives, air 
conditioners, and electronic components. Cayuga County has three state 
parks, encourages higher education through Wells College and Cayuga 
County Community College, and is home to the Cayuga Museum of History 
and Art and the Schweinfurth Art Center.
  The Cayuga County Legislature recently held its May monthly meeting 
at Wells College in Aurora, the city where the county's first 
government meeting took place on May 28, 1799. A Harriet Tubman 
pilgrimage and a Red Cross barbecue were held during the Memorial Day 
weekend to commemorate the bicentennial, and upcoming anniversary 
events this summer include the Southern Cayuga Garden Club Tour, The 
Wall that Heals Vietnam Memorial at Emerson Park, and a Civil War 
sampler at the Morgan Opera House.
  In the words of the county legislature, Cayuga County's quiescent, 
yet noble history, its diversified resources and its scenic beauty 
reveal that the region remains as impressive and promising today as it 
undoubtedly appeared to the entrepreneurial settlers 200 years ago.
  It is my distinct honor to represent the descendants and subsequent 
residents of this outstanding community.

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