[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 35 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E410]]
    COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE 
                  REPUBLICAN PARTY IN RIPON, WISCONSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS E. PETRI

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 2004

  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 150th 
Anniversary of the first meeting of the Republican Party in the town of 
Ripon, Wisconsin on March 20, 1854. On that momentous day, a group of 
54 concerned citizens gathered in the Little White Schoolhouse to 
protest the extension of slavery into the territories of Kansas and 
Nebraska. Led by Alvan Bovay, this group of citizens dissolved the 
local Whig and Free Soil parties and officially declared themselves 
``Republicans.'' For this reason, the Little White Schoolhouse has long 
been known as the Birthplace of the Republican Party.
  Since its inception, the Republican Party has stood for Liberty and 
Equality for all--making the Little White Schoolhouse a symbol of civic 
responsibility to the residents of Ripon and the nation. On May 30, 
1974, the Department of the Interior formally recognized the historical 
importance of the first meeting of the Republican Party by designating 
the Little White Schoolhouse as a National Historic Landmark. The 
structure is significant, according to the National Park Service, 
because ``a meeting in this simple, one story clapboard and frame 
schoolhouse on March 20, 1854 and another in Jackson, Michigan on July 
6'' led to the formation of the Republican Party. To this day it 
attracts visitors from around the world.
  In order to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the 
Republican Party, the town of Ripon is holding a celebration entitled, 
``From Schoolhouse to White House; A Celebration of Active 
Citizenship'' that will promote the importance of civic involvement. 
This celebration will also honor the leadership that 54 citizens of 
Ripon displayed on March 20, 1854, in proclaiming themselves 
Republicans under the banner of Liberty and Equality. The event on 
March 20, 2004, caps off a two month series of events that have been 
held in Ripon, including a conference on the accomplishments of 
Wisconsin women and mock elections held in the Ripon schools to focus 
attention on this most basic form of active citizenship.
  Therefore, I want to once again recognize the 150th Anniversary of 
the first meeting of the Republican Party at the Little White 
Schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin.

                          ____________________