[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S1678]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     THE SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF GREEN BAY, WI

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I commemorate the 
sesquicentennial of Green Bay, WI, one of the most famous cities in 
America, and one of Wisconsin's most beloved places.
  Green Bay is Wisconsin's oldest European settlement dating back to 
the explorations of Jean Nicolet in 1634. Early fur traders and 
explorers used Green Bay and the Fox River as an important access point 
from the Great Lakes to the Western lands of the New World. Early 
French settlers called the bay, ``La Baie Verte,'' because of its green 
waters. In the second half of the 19th century, European immigrants 
flocked to Green Bay for the good farming soil and ample business 
opportunities. The paper industry became a vital part of the Green Bay 
economy and remains the leading employer in the city today. Green Bay 
became a city when it was incorporated by the Wisconsin Legislature on 
February 27, 1854. Today, Green Bay stands with a population of over 
100,000 people as Wisconsin's third-largest city.
  Today visitors can get a taste of Green Bay's long history at the 
Heritage Hill State Historic Park which offers a rare opportunity to 
visit one of Wisconsin's oldest wood homes, the Tank Cottage. Green Bay 
is also home to the National Railroad Museum, home of the world's 
largest steam locomotive and General Dwight D. Eisenhower's WWII 
command train.
  Green Bay is known to many as Titletown USA as it is home to the 
world-famous Green Bay Packers, the real ``America's Team.'' In 1919, 
Curly Lambeau, who worked for a packing plant, organized the original 
Packers football team. The team's popularity led to the packing plant 
backing Lambeau in obtaining a franchise in the new professional 
football league. Early financial problems were overcome by making the 
team publically owned, an honor that I am proud to say I am now a part 
of. The rest, as they say, is history. The Packers have gone on to win 
12 championships, more than any other pro football team. Green Bay has 
been the stage for such great games as the 1967 Ice Bowl and such 
talents as Vince Lombardi, Don Hutson, Bart Starr and Brett Favre. 
Every year, people from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Green 
Bay to see the frozen tundra of the beautifully renovated Lambeau Field 
and visit the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame.
  Green Bay is a city with a distinguished history, a proud tradition 
of hardworking families and a bright future. Happy birthday, Green Bay. 
We are looking forward to the next 150 years.

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