[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E723-E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE CITY OF MILLEDGEVILLE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM MARSHALL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2003

  Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the City of 
Milledgeville, Georgia, on the occasion of this historic city's year-
long bicentennial celebration.
  Situated just west of the Oconee River on what was then the edge of 
Georgia's frontier, Milledgeville was founded in 1803 after a long 
search by a Georgia legislature-commissioned expedition to find a new 
capital city. The city was named for John Milledge, who at the time was 
a popular Georgia governor. Within a year of its founding, the city was 
declared the official seat of Georgia's state government, becoming the 
only city outside Washington, D.C. designed specifically to be a 
capital city. As the capital, Milledgeville was a key location for many 
historic events in Georgia's history, including the 1861 signing of the 
Ordinance of Secession at the Old Capitol and a stopping place in 1864 
for General Sherman, who slept in the Governor's Mansion as he passed 
through on his infamous March to the Sea. In 1868, Georgia moved its 
state capitol to Atlanta, but Milledgeville continued to prosper and 
grow, becoming home to a thriving university and new businesses while 
still keeping an eye on its antebellum past. Last year, the city 
welcomed more than 60,000 visitors to see such attractions as the Old 
State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion and a number of other old homes 
that showcase the city's true Southern style.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent this fine community of 
individuals who, over the years, have worked hard to build their city 
into what it is today. This year, the city is welcoming visitors from 
across the nation to join in celebrating their first 200 years of 
history. Part of this celebration will include the dedication of 
Georgia's Antebellum Capitol Museum, an old-fashioned independence day 
celebration, a black-tie bicentennial ball and monthly lectures 
highlighting the people and places that have helped make Milledgeville 
truly unique.
  Mr. Speaker, I am confident that my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives will join me in congratulating the City of 
Milledgeville for its 200 years.

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