[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H3308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING ROWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA ON ITS 250TH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. WATT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WATT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the residents of Rowan 
County, North Carolina, part of which is located in my congressional 
district, as they celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of 
their county. Rowan County was founded in 1753, more than 20 years 
before the American Revolution. Today Rowan County has around 135,000 
residents and is a thriving part of North Carolina's Piedmont. 
Salisbury, the county seat, is known as the hometown of the Food Lion 
grocery store chain, Cheerwine soft drinks and my new colleague in the 
Senate, Senator Elizabeth Dole. I always look forward to visiting Rowan 
County and was planning to ride in their parade this afternoon had the 
House schedule allowed that to happen.
  I wish all the best to the Rowan County residents as they gather this 
weekend to celebrate the Rowan 250 Fest, with the theme of ``History's 
Crossroads''--looking back at Rowan County's rich history and looking 
forward to a bright future.

                          ____________________