[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF BEDFORD COUNTY, TENNESSEE

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                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
200th anniversary of Bedford County, Tennessee, which I have the honor 
of representing in this esteemed body. The community in Middle 
Tennessee will commemorate its bicentennial on December 3.
  The area of Bedford County was established by the Tennessee General 
Assembly by carving out a portion of Rutherford County to extend south 
to the state's boundary with the Mississippi Territory in present-day 
Alabama. The county was named for Capt. Thomas Bedford, a soldier who 
served in the American Revolution.
  Today, Bedford County may be best known as the Walking Horse Capital 
of the World. For nearly 70 years, thousands of people have gathered in 
Shelbyville, the county seat, during late August and early September 
for the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration. During the first 
Celebration in 1939, more than 40,000 people attended the event.
  In June of each year, nearby Bell Buckle hosts the annual RC and Moon 
Pie Festival. During the weekend of the festival, the tiny town of 400 
residents receives about 15,000 visitors who are able to participate in 
a 10-mile run, watch parades, spit watermelon seeds and have a taste of 
the world's largest Moon Pie.
  County Mayor Eugene Ray and the rest of the Bicentennial Committee 
will lead next month's celebration. They have done an outstanding job 
of organizing this event, and I commend their efforts.
  The communities that make up Bedford County have great reason to take 
pride in their beautiful slice of Middle Tennessee. I wish them well 
and hope the next 200 years are as prosperous as the first 200 years.

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