[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 70 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1016-E1017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF LIGHTHOUSE POINT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th anniversary 
of the wonderful city of Lighthouse Point, Florida. I am proud to have 
represented the residents of this city for the 26 years I have served 
in Congress.
  Incorporated on June 13, 1956, Lighthouse Point derived its name from 
its location under the beam of the famed Hillsboro Lighthouse. Armed 
with a petition signed by over 100 residents favoring incorporation, 
community leaders traveled to Tallahassee to seek approval. Story has 
it that 77 names on the petition were Republicans and they were 
required to re-register before incorporation approval would be given by 
the State's Democrat leaders. All 77 agreed to re-register as 
Independents and the incorporation of Lighthouse Point was approved.
  In 1956, approximately 150 people resided in the newly incorporated 
area. Most of these residents had grown up in other parts of the 
country during the 1920s and 1930s and many had served in WWII. What 
had originally been farm land was now a network of canals and 
residential lots providing residents with waterfront living and easy 
access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the ocean beyond. It was an 
idyllic place to make a new life for yourself and your family. In 1956, 
Dwight D. Eisenhower was elected President and Leroy Collins was 
elected Governor of Florida, both for second terms; a first class 
postage stamp was three cents and Elvis Presley's ``Don't Be Cruel'' 
was the number-one record.
  Today, Lighthouse Point is a thriving community of approximately 
10,767 residents. It has moved from services provided by volunteers to 
a full service city with its own police, fire, and public works 
departments. Although it has grown dramatically, as has all of South 
Florida, it has retained its feeling of a small town community. 
Eighteen miles of canals, parks and numerous recreational activities 
and special annual events such as Keeper Days and Lighthouse ``A'' Glow 
all contribute to the hometown feel of Lighthouse Point. It continues 
to maintain its heritage and its standard of striving to be the best 
place to live and raise a family.
  Mr. Speaker, Lighthouse Point is a jewel in the landscape of South 
Florida. I am honored to represent the city and her residents in the 
U.S. House of Representatives. I am also pleased to take this 
opportunity to recognize and congratulate Lighthouse Point on the 
occasion of its 50th anniversary.

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