[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 97 (Friday, June 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1397]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO GEORGETOWN, COLORADO--ONE OF AMERICA'S DOZEN DISTINCTIVE 
                              DESTINATIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
town of Georgetown, Colorado, for being selected by the National Trust 
for Historic Preservation as one of its 2003 Dozen Distinctive 
Destination locations. This designation acknowledges the outstanding 
work of the residents of Georgetown in protecting, respecting and 
celebrating their unique history and cultural heritage.
  Anyone who has spent time in Georgetown knows of the wealth of 
historical structures that have been preserved and protected. This 
heritage provides a lasting reminder of the early years of mining and 
living in rugged mountainous areas of Colorado and the West.
  Georgetown, the county seat of Clear Creek County, was established in 
1864, when the discovery of the Belmont Lode started a stampede of 
prospectors and ultimately gave the town its nickname, ``Silver Queen 
of the Rockies.'' The town still operates under an 1868 charter from 
Colorado's territorial legislature.
  As the National Trust notes in its announcement of this designation: 
``Many vestiges of the town's heyday remain, including the Georgetown 
Loop Railroad, a marvel of engineering, hailed as the most complex 
railroad loop in the world at the turn of the century. Today, the 
historic railroad is still thrilling passengers as it traverses the 
Devil's Gate High Bridge, soaring 95 feet above Clear Creek. A year-
round vacation wonderland, Georgetown's spectacular setting provides 
unlimited opportunities for fun. Summer months offer trout fishing, 
back-country hiking, biking, rafting and more--while during ski season, 
Georgetown is a convenient base for hitting the nearby slopes.''
  It was for these reasons and more that the National Trust, the 
country's largest private, nonprofit preservation organization, named 
Georgetown to its 2003 list of America's Dozen Distinctive 
Destinations, an annual list of unique and lovingly preserved 
communities in the United States.
  In recognizing Georgetown, the National Trust singled out the Hamill 
House Museum, completed in 1879 as the home of silver baron William A. 
Hamill and adorned with furnishings delivered from its owner's 
birthplace in England. Another notable landmark is the Hotel de Paris, 
built in 1876. In its heyday, it was one of the finest hotels and 
gourmet restaurants in the state. Today the Colonial Dames operates the 
hotel as a museum.
  Also noted by the National Trust are the town's holiday celebrations, 
which include a Christmas Market, Santa Lucia Processional, and horse-
drawn wagon rides.
  This is the fourth time the National Trust for Historic Preservation 
has compiled a list of A Dozen Distinctive Destinations. More than 50 
destinations in 27 states were nominated by preservation organizations 
and local communities. Georgetown was selected because it met the 
National Trust's criteria of well-managed growth, a commitment to 
historic preservation with a protected historic core and meaningful 
context, interesting and attractive architecture, cultural diversity, 
activities for families with children, an economic base of locally-
owned small businesses, and walkability for residents and visitors.

  The National Trust also noted that Georgetown residents have taken 
forceful action to protect their town's character and sense of place 
and have worked hard to preserve the historic and scenic assets of 
their communities, with rewards that transcend town limits. In so 
doing, Georgetown has preserved its quality of life for its residents 
and tourists alike. Georgetown and towns like it in Colorado and 
throughout the west preserve the allure of the western lifestyle and 
the respect that settlers had and still have for the special places 
that have been established.
  In announcing the places on the list of distinctive destinations, 
Richard Moe, the President of the National Trust for Historic 
Preservation, had this to say about Georgetown: ``It is encouraging to 
see communities so committed to the preservation of their historic 
landmarks, the revitalization of their downtown areas, and the 
protection of their unique heritage. Georgetown represents a truly 
distinctive slice of America. That makes it an exciting alternative to 
the homogenization of many other vacation spots. It is my hope that 
more American cities and towns will follow Georgetown's lead in 
preserving their own spirit of place.''
  All I can add to that is, ``amen,'' and my own congratulations to the 
people of Georgetown for this honor, so well earned through their 
efforts to preserve one of the places that makes Colorado such a 
special place to live.




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