[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 29 (Thursday, March 14, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S1934]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CITY OF ABSECON CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL

 Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I 
bring to your attention the lovely waterfront community of Absecon, 
which is celebrating its centennial year on March 24, 2002. Absecon, 
originally Absecum, comes from the Algonquin Indian word Absegami, 
meaning ``Across Little Water.'' Located in Atlantic County, Absecon 
was incorporated as a city on March 24, 1902. It is governed by an 
elected body consisting of a mayor and council members. The community, 
which lies adjacent to Atlantic City, encompasses 6 square miles and is 
predominantly residential, with a population of approximately 7,700 
residents.
  Finding the area lush with pines, cedars, and bayberry bushes, early 
English settlers in Absecon earned their living clamming and oystering. 
Soon wharves lined the creek, and boats large and small were built 
along the banks of this bustling seaport. In 1795, Thomas Budd 
purchased 10,000 acres of land in what later became Atlantic County. He 
paid 4 cents an acre for the land on which Atlantic City now stands. It 
was called Further Island, further from Absecon, and later called 
Absecon Beach and finally became Atlantic City. The land was originally 
purchased for control of the waterways and not for farming.
  In 1819, Dr. Jonathan Pitney, saddlebags brimming with medical 
supplies, a blanket, and clothing, rode into Absecon on horseback to 
set up his medical practice. Only 21 years old, Dr. Pitney came to 
Absecon after completing 2 years as an assistant in a hospital on 
Staten Island, following his graduation from a New York medical school. 
Few in the village could have known that this young doctor would one 
day become famous and be forever known as the ``Father of Atlantic 
City.'' For by 1834, the village known as Absecum in Galloway Township 
still only consisted of a tavern, store, and 8 to 10 dwellings.
  When not visiting patients, Dr. Pitney could always be found 
strolling the shoreline taking in the sea air. It did not take long for 
Dr. Pitney to realize the benefits of the sea air and to determine that 
this area was magical and had the ideal climate for a health resort. 
Convincing the municipal authorities that a railroad to the beach would 
be beneficial, he was to be responsible for the construction of the 
railroad east across New Jersey through the salt marshes to Absecon 
Island, now Atlantic City. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Pitney again became 
a leading force in the Village, petitioning Congress to construct a 
lighthouse at the north end of Absecon Island. Years later the Absecon 
Lighthouse was constructed putting an end once and for all to the 
countless scores of shipwrecks along the shoals and beaches near 
``Graveyard Inlet.''
  By 1899, Absecon's population was only 530 people but, in March of 
1902 the legislature of the State of New Jersey approved an act to 
incorporate Absecon City in the County of Atlantic, as a city. From 
these humble beginnings, Absecon has grown to become a charming city by 
the water, housing a Central Business District and Light Industrial 
areas.
  I invite my colleagues to join me in congratulating Mayor Peter C. 
Elco and the citizens of Absecon on their centennial. May they have 
another 100 years of prosperity and community.

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