[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REOPENING OF BAILEY AND BARCLAY HALLS

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                         HON. MICHAEL G. OXLEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2003

  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to acknowledge the reopening 
of Bailey and Barclay Halls on the campus of Urbana University in 
Urbana, Ohio, after extensive renovations to both buildings.
  Founded in 1850 by the Swedenborgian Church, Urbana University is 
known for its strong liberal arts tradition and the solid moral 
education provided to its students. Bailey Hall is the university's 
oldest building, constructed in 1853 and named after Francis Bailey, 
who fought alongside George Washington at Valley Forge. Bailey also 
served as the official printer of the Continental Congress, and was a 
close colleague of his fellow printer Benjamin Franklin.
  Barclay Hall, completed in 1883, was the third building constructed 
at Urbana University. It was named for Hester Barclay, an orphan taken 
in by Francis Bailey. Both Bailey and Barclay Halls appear on the 
National Registry of Historic Places.
  Francis Bailey and Hester Barclay are considered to be the first male 
and female Swedenborgian converts in North America, and were themselves 
instrumental in the conversion of John Chapman, better known as Johnny 
Appleseed. Appleseed distributed Bailey's paper The True Christian 
Religion on his own missionary and apple-planting travels, and was a 
frequent visitor to the Urbana area. Bailey Hall houses the Johnny 
Appleseed Education Center and Museum, the largest known collection of 
the conservationist's memorabilia. The Center is devoted to promoting 
Chapman's vital role in helping to develop the Northwest Territory 
through spreading both apple seeds and his faith in God.
  The $1.8 million renovation to these two buildings provides needed 
improvements to the Appleseed Museum, as well as additional modern 
classroom space, meeting rooms, and faculty office space. These 
facilities will enhance the learning experience both of Urbana's 
students and visiting scholars to the Appleseed Center. I salute the 
hard work and dedication of everyone who has helped to make this 
project a success.

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