[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 124 (Thursday, September 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP OF PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GEORGE W. GEKAS

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2002

  Mr. GEKAS. Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to bring to your attention 
the fiftieth anniversary of Susquehanna Township's establishment as a 
First Class Township. Susquehanna Township is located just outside the 
City of Harrisburg, my hometown.
  Susquehanna Township owes its name to a local tribe of American 
Indians known as the Susquehannocks. In 1815, the township was first 
formed, cut from the larger Lower Paxtung Township.
  The first settlement of Susquehanna Township, however, was much 
earlier. In 1757, Dr. John Cox, Jr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania laid 
out a section of the township which was first known as 
“Coxestown,” but was later renamed to 
“Estherton” after his wife, Esther. A man known only as Mr. 
Roberts settled the second known settlement of Susquehanna Township in 
1774. That area today is known as Rockville. By 1815, the area of 
Progress in eastern Susquehanna Township was settled and continues to 
hold that name today.
  As of 1928 the Township was a second class township in Pennsylvania. 
On January 2, 1952, Dauphin County Court acted upon a petition from the 
supervisors of Susquehanna Township re-establishing it as a First Class 
Township.
  Susquehanna Township today is a booming municipality of the highest 
living standards for residents and businesses alike. Its assessed 
valuation well exceeds $1 billion. Twenty-two thousand people call 
Susquehanna Township home and over three thousand students are enrolled 
in its two elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
  I commend the leaders of Susquehanna Township for guiding it through 
fifty years of success as a First Class Township. In addition, I want 
to recognize the residents and businesses of Susquehanna Township for 
their countless contributions to this wonderful Central Pennsylvanian 
community. Congratulations, Susquehanna Township, on your Golden 
Anniversary!

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