[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 29, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H1482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                AMERICAN FREEDOM TRAIN 25TH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. GOODLATTE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, the American Freedom Train departed 
Cameron Depot, Virginia, on its inaugural run 25 years ago today. The 
American Freedom Train headed for Wilmington, Delaware, to make its 
premier to the American public and help mark our country's 
bicentennial.
  During 21 months of travel across our great land, the American 
Freedom Train traveled more than 24,000 miles and visited 138 cities 
where it became the focal point of local 200th birthday festivities. 
Nearly 700 million people toured the train's 10 exhibit cars and saw 
510 historical documents, works of art, and items of memorabilia that 
portrayed our country's heritage.
  The American Freedom Train, the idea of Mr. Ross Rowland, became one 
of the greatest events of America's bicentennial. My deepest thanks to 
my constituents, John and Mary Jayne Rowe, of Covington, Virginia, for 
the work they have done to preserve the memories of the American 
Freedom Train.
  The sign at the train's exit is as appropriate today as it was 25 
years ago: ``And now let us celebrate America, its heritage and 
strength, and together let us build a meaningful tomorrow.''

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