[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 98 (Monday, July 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ENDICOTT

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                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the village of 
Endicott in Broome County, NY, which is part of the 22nd Congressional 
District that I proudly serve. This year marks the 100th anniversary of 
the founding of Endicott. I am pleased to recognize the village of 
Endicott and the important contributions it has made to Broome County 
and to the State of New York on its centennial anniversary.
  Located along the majestic Susquehanna River, the village of Endicott 
makes up one-third of the ``Triple Cities'' region of New York, along 
with the Village of Johnson City and the city of Binghamton. The 
Tuscarora tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy originally inhabited the 
area of present day Endicott before European settlement in 1795. 
Between this time and when Edicott was incorporated in 1906, the 
village grew steadily in the 19th century with the construction of 
schools and transportation systems. The first Endicott-Johnson shoe 
factory in Endicott was constructed on North Street in 1901 which 
promoted expansion of the village and growth throughout the Triple 
Cities region. The village was named after Henry B. Endicott who 
founded and owned the business that was Endicott-Johnson.
  Endicott-Johnson was vital to the growth of the community and as an 
employer it pioneered the concept of worker's dignity. At Endicott-
Johnson, labor was seen as a group of people rather than a commodity. 
Endicott-Johnson workers were given benefits such as profit sharing in 
the company, financial help when they needed it during an emergency 
such as an illness or a death in the family, and Endicott-Johnson was 
also one of the first companies who shortened the work day from 9\1/2\ 
to 8 hours a day with wages remaining the same. Employees were so 
pleased with their working conditions that they felt it was unnecessary 
to join a union and, while factories nationwide were experiencing 
violent riots Endicott-Johnson's workers and management enjoyed a 
respectful harmonious relationship. In addition to the fairness shown 
to the employees, Endicott-Johnson was also known as offering a 
``Square Deal'' to its customers and Binghamton is now known as the 
``Home of the Square Deal,'' a place that summarized an umritten 
compact that let the public know that with Endicott-Johnson products 
they were receiving high-quality merchandise while informing potential 
Endicott-Johnson employees that when working for the company, they 
would be working for a company that would treat them with respect.
  After the incorporation of Endicott in 1906, the 20th century proved 
to hold more opportunities for expansion for the village with the 
founding of International Business Machines, IBM, the company helped 
create jobs in the area as well as helped expand Endcott with 
recreational services created for IBM employees as well as for the 
public.
  Like the Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, the workers were seen as 
people instead of labor to be exploited. IBM also took care of its 
employees during hard times such as the Great Depression when it 
provided workers with life insurance and survivors benefits. Later, 
during WorId War II, IBM established a fund for widows and orphans of 
the IBM employees that were fighting overseas.
  In 1921, the village of Endicott gained size and prestige by 
absorbing the adjacent village of Union. The villages had grown 
together closely, so it became hard to determine geographically where 
one village started and the other ended. This unification greatly 
strengthened the community and positioned it for greater growth and 
prosperity.
  Despite its classification as a village, Endicott provides many 
amenities of a large city such as an airport, paid fire and police 
protection as well as many other services. The village today also 
offers many forms of entertainment for its inhabitants as well as 
visitors such as stage performances at the Cider Mill Playhouse and the 
Endicott Performing Arts Center as well as golfing at the En-Joie Golf 
Course, which is also home to the Broome County, B.C., Open, a regular 
stop on the PGA Tour. There is also the Little Italy section of 
Endicott on the North Side which also boasts a strong culture. In 
addition to all of these forms of recreation, there are many parks 
available and carousels which are so ubiquitous to the Southern Tier 
that Greater Binghamton is often referred to as the carousel capital.
  Endicott's vibrant history is alive and evident today. Villages like 
Endicott are an essential component of our Nation's past, present, and 
future, and deserve to be honored and recognized for their numerous 
contributions. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the 
village of Endicott, NY, as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its 
founding.

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