[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2002

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to call attention 
to the 150th Anniversary of the creation of Bordentown Township by the 
New Jersey State Legislature. Throughout all of my 21-year tenure in 
Congress, I have had the privilege of representing the residents of 
Bordentown Township, here in the United States House of 
Representatives.
  I believe that it is fitting and proper for a community that has a 
long and rich tradition like Bordentown Township to periodically 
celebrate its history with its current residents, so that community 
awareness and cooperation are deepened. To understand where you are, 
you must first understand where you've been.
  Throughout its long history, Bordentown Township has been forced to 
grapple with the challenges of growth, due its desirable location along 
the Delaware River and its well-deserved reputation as a good place to 
live and raise a family. Consequently, there has been a sense of 
commitment among Township residents about the need to create and 
preserve parks, recreational areas, and open spaces, in order to uphold 
the character of the township.
  From the earliest beginnings of Bordentown, its residents have been 
civic-minded. Indeed, the creation of Bordentown Borough in 1825 was 
prompted by the growth of population in the village of Bordentown, and 
calls for a more representative government. When residents decided that 
they wanted to have a greater say on their own schools and a separate 
polling district, they successfully petitioned the State of New Jersey 
to amend its Borough Charter in 1849.
  However, the arrangement of 1849 generated much dissatisfaction 
because the interests of the rural Chesterfield section of the borough, 
and the more urban Bordentown section, were mutually incompatible. In 
1852 the New Jersey Legislature divided Bordentown and Chesterfield (a 
more rural neighbor) into two separate communities. A similar division 
was conducted in 1902, when the City of Bordentown, and Bordentown 
Township, were separated.
  The first meetings of the Bordentown Township Committee were held in 
an unheated shed. Later, the meetings were held in a private home when 
it became too cold to hold them in the shed. In 1903 Township Hall was 
built on Cemetery Lane.
  While things are much different in Bordentown Township today, the 
same spirit of service and willingness to make personal sacrifices for 
the benefit of local residents still exists in Bordentown's elected 
leaders. I know, because I am friends with, and work with, many of 
them. For instance, the current mayor of Bordentown Township, Mark 
Roselli, once served as my Legislative Director, Campaign Manager, and 
Policy Advisor.
  In addition, the Director of my Burlington/Mercer Constituent Service 
Center, Joyce Golden, has been a proud resident of Bordentown Township 
for 22 years. She currently serves on the Township's County Committee, 
and has often told me that she and her husband, Marty, would not want 
to raise their family in any other community. Joyce and Marty are 
especially proud that their children have chosen to continue to live 
and work in Bordentown Township. Their daughter and her family have 
built a home in Bordentown Township, and their son serves the community 
as a career Firefighter/EMT for Fire District #2.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again congratulate the people of Bordentown 
Township for preserving a community with a high quality-of-life for 150 
years.

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