[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE BRADNER TOWN HALL AND OPERA HOUSE ON THE 
         OCCASION OF ITS ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

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                          HON. PAUL E. GILLMOR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 22, 1999

  Mr. GILLMOR. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and privilege to 
rise today to pay special tribute to an outstanding community from 
Ohio's Fifth Congressional District. On Sunday, September 19, 1999, the 
Village of Bradner will celebrate the One-Hundredth Anniversary of the 
Bradner Town Hall and Opera House.
  In the final year of the Nineteenth Century, the citizens of Bradner 
decided to take an enormous step--to solidify their position and build 
a town hall. The Village embarked on a venture to locate a site, 
procure the necessary funding and materials, and build a truly 
remarkable building. Their efforts, after concluding the necessary 
paperwork, votes, and administrative matters, were finalized in 1899 as 
F.K. Hewitt was hired to design and J.W. Stiger hired to build the 
Bradner Town Hall.
  The Bradner Town Hall has long been the centerpiece of this wonderful 
community. This small, yet vibrant area holds the same inner-strength 
found throughout the Fifth Congressional District and throughout the 
state of Ohio. That strength and common bond is driven from the town 
hall. For one-hundred years, the Bradner Town Hall has served as the 
focal point for the community, the symbol of independence and freedom, 
and the source of the community's pride.
  With all its beauty, the Bradner Town Hall symbolizes all that is 
good in our communities--strength, fortitude, grace, and resilience. 
The Bradner Town Hall and Opera House has housed the Village fire 
department, jail, and public utilities offices. It also contains an 
upstairs Opera House and a library. Throughout the many changes, its 
use as the governmental center of Bradner has remained constant as it 
is home to the mayor's office and village council chambers. After first 
opening the building one-hundred years ago, the Village of Bradner 
conducts official business in the town hall to this day.
  Mr. Speaker, the individuality of the American culture and the 
freedom of the American spirit are embodied in our local communities 
and the town halls located in them. I would urge my colleagues to stand 
and join me in paying special tribute to the Bradner Town Hall on its 
One-Hundredth Anniversary.

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