[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 118 (Monday, July 23, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H8236-H8237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF NEW MILFORD, CONNECTICUT

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 528) commemorating the 300th 
anniversary of the Town of New Milford, Connecticut.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 528

       Whereas New Milford is located in Litchfield County, on the 
     western border of Connecticut, in the Housatonic Valley;
       Whereas the settlement of New Milford began in 1706, when 
     John Noble, Sr., purchased a portion of land known as 
     Weantinogue;
       Whereas in 1707, Noble and his daughter settled in New 
     Milford, followed by 12 other families;
       Whereas beginning in 1774, New Milford demonstrated its 
     support for the Revolutionary War by providing financial 
     support to the servicemen and sending 285 of its 2,700 
     inhabitants to battle;
       Whereas New Milford was a center of Underground Railroad 
     work in Connecticut, with many of its residents offering 
     their homes as places for slaves to take refuge on their 
     journey to freedom;
       Whereas the late 1800s marked the arrival of many new 
     industries and businesses in New Milford, including the 
     manufacturing of furniture, paints, and pottery;
       Whereas in 1902, New Milford's worst disaster occurred when 
     a raging fire completely destroyed the town's main business 
     district on Bank Street;
       Whereas the population of New Milford stood at 3,000 in 
     1880 and has grown to nearly 30,000 today;
       Whereas at 64 square miles, New Milford is the largest town 
     in Connecticut; and
       Whereas New Milford has been modernized through commercial 
     and industrial growth, while retaining its deep sense of 
     history, scenic beauty, and traditional New England character 
     throughout the past 300 years: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Town of New Milford, Connecticut, on 
     the occasion of its 300th anniversary; and
       (2) honors the Town of New Milford for its significant 
     history, impressive growth, and considerable contributions to 
     the State of Connecticut and the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Davis) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Duncan) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H. Res. 
528, a bill that commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Town of New 
Milford, Connecticut. H. Res. 528, which has 53 cosponsors, was 
introduced by Representative Christopher Murphy on June 28, 2007. H. 
Res. 528 was reported from the Oversight Committee on July 19, 2007, by 
a voice vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, Representative Christopher 
Murphy, for seeking to commemorate the 300th anniversary of New 
Milford, Connecticut. I urge swift passage of this resolution.

[[Page H8237]]

  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  H. Res. 528 commemorates the Town of New Milford, Connecticut, on its 
300th anniversary. New Milford is not the largest city, but under the 
definitions of the State, it is the largest town within the State, with 
a population of nearly 30,000 residents. This quaint and friendly 
community is home to thriving businesses and manufacturing industries 
and has abundant historical roots.
  New Milford was established and founded in 1707 when John Noble, Sr. 
of Westfield, Massachusetts, purchased a large portion of land for his 
family. More families arrived in the new community soon afterwards, and 
the settlement began to flourish. Over time, new churches and schools 
were founded, and in 1774, the town saw 285 of its men leave to serve 
in the Revolutionary War.
  In its 300 years, New Milford has seen weather-related tragedies, 
devastating illnesses, and damaging fires hit the town. But it has 
overcome these tragedies and events and today has many successful 
industries and businesses.
  New Milford educates its residents and visitors each year through 
cultural tours, concert events, art fairs, and camps. It has witnessed 
much history and seen tremendous growth in its 300 years and is 
certainly one of the most pleasant places to live in this Nation today.
  I am pleased to support H. Res. 528 to honor this historic 300th 
anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1615

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it's my pleasure to yield such 
time as he might consume to the author of this legislation, 
Representative Christopher Murphy from the Fifth District of 
Connecticut.
  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my 
friend from Tennessee and from Illinois for supporting the resolution 
here today.
  I think it's fitting, in part, that we are here in the House of 
Representatives on this august floor in order to celebrate a town, New 
Milford, Connecticut, which is, in part, responsible for our very 
existence here today.
  The first citizen of New Milford is often referred to as Roger 
Sherman, whose statute sits not far outside this body. Why is that? 
Because after being an entrepreneur in New Milford, Connecticut, Roger 
Sherman came to the Constitutional Convention and was one of the 
authors, the primary author, of the Connecticut Compromise, which was 
responsible for the United States Government having a bicameral 
legislature with both the House and the Senate.
  We're very proud of him. We're very proud of the incredibly rich 
historical tradition in New Milford. As was referenced, the number of 
people who rose from New Milford to fight in the Revolutionary War is 
remarkable, given its small size. It also became a central stop, a 
central hub on the Underground Railroad in the 50 or 60 years after the 
Revolution.
  It has grown over time from a community that was founded first by 
only 12 families to now a town that not only enjoys one of the largest 
land masses in Connecticut, but also has 30,000 people there and still 
has retained its small-town charm.
  I really urge anyone who has plans to travel throughout the 
northeastern section of this great United States, to try to divert a 
little bit of your trip to see the quaint village of New Milford. Not 
only does it have a small, but bustling, downtown of quaint shops on 
the side streets off of the green, but a growing commercial industrial 
sector as well.
  I was privileged to be able to march in a very festive 300th 
anniversary parade a few weeks ago, and I'm very pleased to join my 
colleagues here to celebrate its 300th anniversary on the floor of the 
House of Representatives today.
  I urge passage of the resolution.
  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, I will simply close by congratulating the 
town of New Milford on this historic anniversary, its 300th 
anniversary. And I commend the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) and 
also the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Murphy) for bringing this 
matter to the attention of the House.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time and urge passage of this resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 528.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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