[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE BOAT LIVERY OF BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE, NEW YORK, ON THE 
                   OCCASION OF ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2008

  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 
Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake, which next month will celebrate its 
100th birthday. Throughout the past century, the Boat Livery of Blue 
Mountain Lake has continuously provided services in boating, canoeing, 
kayaking, fishing and other recreational activities to residents and 
visitors alike in the glorious Adirondacks region of New York State. I 
would like to join with my distinguished colleague from the New York 
State delegation, the Honorable John McHugh, who represents Blue 
Mountain Lake in Congress, in saluting the Boat Livery of Blue Mountain 
Lake on the occasion of its centennial anniversary.
  Blue Mountain Lake lies in the heart of New York's Adirondack Park. 
Inspired by the Reverend William Henry Harrison Murray's best-selling 
1869 edition of ``Adventures in the Wilderness'' or ``Camp Life in the 
Adirondacks'', vacationers started to visit Blue Mountain Lake after 
the conclusion of the Civil War, and it became a tourist ``hot spot.'' 
As visitors arrived in droves, an entire industry developed in 
response, spawning stately inns and travel guides who offered boat 
tours and facilitated participation in outdoor activities such as 
hunting, fishing, boating, hiking and camping.
  The Boat Livery of Blue Mountain Lake was founded on August 2, 1908 
during the heyday of the great camps established by prominent Americans 
such as Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, Dr. Thomas Durant, Coulis 
Huntington, Alfred Vanderbilt and the Hochschild family, many of whom 
resided in what is now the 14th Congressional district of New York. 
Since then, the Boat Livery has made available a wide array of rental 
pleasure craft to visitors to this uniquely beautiful part of our great 
Nation. It also has offered scenic boat cruises on original wooden 
launches.
  Blue Mountain rises to a majestic height of 3,759 feet, offering 
stunning views of the shimmering Blue Mountain Lake dotted with 
islands. With a year-round population of fewer than 200 people, the 
tiny town surrounding the mountain remains picturesque, preserving its 
rustic charm despite the presence of thousands of visitors who pass 
through each season. Blue Mountain Lake is one of the cleanest, 
clearest lakes in the 48 contiguous states. It continues to draw 
thousands of city dwellers who are seeking refuge from their muggy, 
urban homes.
  In 1933, Richard Collins and his wife Hectorine purchased the Boat 
Livery of Blue Mountain Lake and operated it until 1955. In 1955, Russ 
and Edna Barrowman purchased it and managed it until 1977 when it was 
bought by Robert and Judi Booth. Robert, Judi, Quin and Parker Booth 
currently operate the Livery's rowboats, canoes, steamboats, conduct 
tours and make available to tourists small and large pontoon boats, 
kayaks, canoes, paddleboats, windsurfers, day-sailers, sunfish, water 
skis, tubes, wakeboards, and many other vessels. In addition, they 
organize the special scenic trips in historic antique tour boats: the 
Towahloondah, dated 1920; the Osprey, dated 1916; and the Neenykin, 
dated 1916. These authentic vessels are inspected yearly by the New 
York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and 
remain an integral part of the rich diversity of recreational 
activities at Blue Mountain Lake. On 2-hour tours across Blue Mountain 
on the old wooden launches, Eagle and Utowana Lakes, guides regale 
visitors with stories of the 19th century's great camps, recounting the 
history of the area's lumberjacks and celebrated fishing and hunting 
guides. Their stories feature the camps, hotels, steamboats, workers 
and players of the era.
  Madam Speaker, I rise to request that my distinguished colleagues 
join me in paying tribute to the tremendous contributions to the 
preservation and enjoyment of the Adirondacks region made by the Boat 
Livery of Blue Mountain Lake on the occasion of its centennial 
anniversary.




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