[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 52 (Thursday, May 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E725-E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF THE CITY OF MONMOUTH, OR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DARLENE HOOLEY

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2006

  Ms. HOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the city and 
citizens of Monmouth, Oregon, as they prepare to celebrate the 150th 
anniversary of the city's foundation. Monmouth is a city that 
understands the meaning of words like history, tradition, and most of 
all, community.
  Since its incorporation in 1856 by members of what became the First 
Christian Church, the people of Monmouth have held firm to the values 
that make it an outstanding example of the AIl-American city. The city 
is home to Western Oregon University which was founded in the same year 
and is the oldest public university in Oregon, as well as Campbell 
Hall, the oldest building in the state's public higher education 
system. The campus of Western Oregon University is also home to one of 
the tallest Christmas trees in the U.S., a giant Sequoia planted by the 
students in 1879 that has

[[Page E726]]

been nominated for inclusion in Oregon's Heritage Tree Program.
  Monmouth is home to the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards 
and Training which provides training facilities for both local and 
state law enforcement officers along with the Oregon Military Academy. 
The partnerships forged between the town and these institutions shows 
the dedication of the citizens to not just a safe community, but safe 
communities across Oregon and the nation.
  Beautiful parks in Monmouth are large enough for city-wide festivals 
such as the annual Western Days Fourth of July celebration--which draw 
10,000 visitors annually for the largest and longest patriotic festival 
in Oregon, yet intimate enough for families to gather and enjoy a day 
of recreation. Family-friendly activities are available year-round, 
from active sports programs to dance recitals to high school plays 
where the whole town comes out to show their support.
  And so tomorrow, on this town's 150th birthday, I join the residents 
of Monmouth, Oregon, in celebrating the wonderful community that they 
have created.

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