[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE ORANGE COUNTY ONION HARVEST FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 29, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, as the Library of Congress celebrates its 
Bicentennial this year, the Local Legacies Project will provide an 
opportunity for each Member of Congress to describe a project of 
significant and historical importance in their district. This 
documentation will become immortalized in the collections of the 
Library's American Folklife Center.
  The documentation will provide a diverse cross section of America's 
culture to be preserved for future generations.
  The Orange County Onion Harvest Festival, held just outside of Pine 
Island, in Florida, New York, is an outstanding example of such an 
event. It is colorful example of a tradition that has endured for 
generations. It chronicles a celebration of the Polish agricultural 
heritage of a group of immigrants who settled in the ``Black Dirt 
Region'' of Orange County, New York, starting in the early 1800's; 
bringing with them Old World customs and traditions that continue 
today.
  The Orange County Onion Festival depicts the courageous ``never say 
die'' struggle of a people to tame and convert a vast decomposing flood 
plain into land that fulfilled their most cherished dreams.
  The ``Black Dirt'' lands rose out a glacial lake. This area known as 
the ``Mucklands'' had as its inhabitant's early man, mastodons, and the 
Mini and Unamis Indians, who used the giant rich swamp as their hunting 
grounds.
  It took the efforts of entire families to tame and cultivate some 
12,000 ``Black Dirt'' acres. Over the years, the pioneers endured in 
one long battle against disease, drought, winds, flooding rains and 
weeds from planting time in March or April until the Harvest months in 
July and August.
  They grew into a colony of efficient, hard working, thrifty people. 
With perseverance and love of family, they established schools, 
churches, and social groups.
  These people are an outstanding model of what can be accomplished in 
the face of adversity.
  Gradually, over years of hard labor, the ``Black Dirt'' lands have 
emerged into what is now a scientifically run business using the latest 
available technologies. It has become the largest onion growing area in 
the State of New York and the third largest east of the Mississippi 
River.
  The Onion Harvest Festival in celebration pays tribute to 
hardworking, land loving people who have gone before; those who are 
here now, and those who are yet to come.
  It is most heartening to observe, that in today's world, where the 
integrity of family, history, tradition and the virtual survival of 
family based agriculture remain continually threatened, an event such 
as The Orange County Onion Harvest Festival not only continues to 
exist, but thrives in the hearts and minds of all who work so hard to 
ensure its success.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to call to the attention of our colleagues the 
following dedicated citizens who worked so hard to make the onion 
festival such a success in 1999, and who worked to ensure that its 
history be included in the Library of Congress program in the year 
2000: Ann Cortese of Pearl River, NY; Peter Zubikowski of Port Jervis, 
NY; Vincent Polaniak of Florida, NY; Linda LeMieux of Middletown, NY; 
Frances Sodrick and Barbara Morgiewicz, both of Pine Island, NY.
  We salute not only this outstanding onion Harvest committee, but also 
all of their predecessors from prior years who have helped make the 
Orange County Onion Festival a truly historic, colorful event.
  We look forward with great anticipation to many more Onion Festivals 
still to come.

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