[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE BICENTENNIAL OF MONROE, NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to note to our colleagues that 
the Town of Monroe, New York, in my congressional district is currently 
celebrating its 200th anniversary.
  With its population estimated in 1996 to be nearly 26,000, the Town 
of Monroe has long been considered one of the major hubs of our Hudson 
River valley. Within the boundaries of the Town are three incorporated 
villages: the Village of Monroe (incorporated in 1894), the Village of 
Harriman (incorporated in 1914), and the Village of Kiryas Joel 
(incorporated in 1977).
  The Village of Monroe sprang up along a mill pond created by the 
construction of a dam and grist mill constructed prior to the 
Revolutionary War. Soon, stagecoach routes, inns, and taverns grew 
along Monroe's Mill Pond, and soon the community became the economic 
and social focal point of the area.
  The Village of Harriman was the sight of a creamery and grist mill, 
which early in this century became the site of the estate of the 
railroad magnate Edward H. Harriman. The Village was named in his 
honor, and became the home of his son, Averill, who served as a cabinet 
member, diplomat, and Governor of New York.
  The Village of Kiryas Joel is the second legally incorporated 
community of Hasidic Jews in the world. The community is a unique 
village where traditional values and the centrality of family are the 
guiding principles of community life. To preserve these values, Kiryas 
Joel remains without television or radio.
  The entire Town of Monroe has enjoyed a varied history over the past 
200 years. In the earliest days, it was known for its iron mines and 
smelting furnaces. The famous giant chain which was stretched across 
the Hudson River to prevent invasion by the British army was forged in 
Monroe. The Monroe iron mines thrived as late as the 1880's.
  For many years, Monroe was the center of a thriving dairy and cheese 
industry. We forget today that the concept of shipping fresh milk from 
the farm to the city is a relatively new concept which did not come 
about until the advent of the railroads. The Town of Monroe was host to 
a variety of dairy farms, and beginning in 1841 what are now the 
Villages of Monroe and Harriman were the railroad terminals from which 
dairy products were shipped.
  But it is for cheese that Monroe is most famous. Two types of cheese 
beloved throughout the world--velveeta and liederkranz--were invented 
in Monroe and originally manufactured at the factory operated by Emil 
Frey.
  Today, the Monroe Cheese Festival is the biggest and most successful 
event held annually in Monroe. Conceived by Village Mayor Robert 
Bonney--who tragically passed away soon after he ``sold'' the festival 
idea to the community--the cheese festival annually attracts thousands 
of visitors of all ages to the community from far and wide.
  In 1997, a local newspaper reporter wrote that: ``There are few 
places where a kid can wear a giant foam cheese wedge on his head and 
still look pretty cool. A Green Bay Packer game may be one. Another, 
most definitely, is the Monroe Cheese Festival.''
  Other long time traditions which permeate Monroe are the Mombasha 
Fire Department, over 100 years old, and the Museum Village, which 
preserves for tourists and scholars a typical colonial community. The 
legendary showman, George M. Cohan, was a resident of Monroe. When in 
his declining years the classic motion picture biography of his life, 
``Yankee Doodle Dandy'' was released, he was too ill to travel to New 
York City for the grand premiere. So a special screening for Cohan and 
his family was arranged to take place at the Mombasha Fire House. Mr. 
Cohan applauded the portrayal of his life story by the legendary Jimmy 
Cagney.
  Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new millennium, the Town of 
Monroe and the three Villages within its boundaries all look forward to 
the third hundred years with a sense of confidence that the challenges 
of tomorrow will be met.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite all of our colleagues to join with me in 
saluting the town of Monroe, New York, on this milestone occasion.

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