[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 350TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF CHARLES COUNTY, 
                                MARYLAND

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                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 2008

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, this year marks the 350th anniversary of 
the founding of Charles County, Maryland, one of the five counties I 
have the privilege of representing in the United States Congress. I 
rise today to congratulate the county on this milestone and to pay 
tribute to its citizens--individuals who have made it such an inviting 
place to live, work, and visit.
  One of Maryland's oldest counties, Charles County was chartered in 
1658 and named in honor of Charles Calvert, the 3rd Lord of Baltimore 
and a royal proprietor of the Colony of Maryland. Since its 
establishment, the county and its residents have played an important 
role in shaping the development of our State and the history of our 
Nation.
  From its earliest days, Charles County served as a center of commerce 
for the region. Port Tobacco, one of the oldest English settlements in 
North America, was the home of Maryland's second largest port and seat 
of the Charles County government prior to its move to La Plata.
  Charles County was the birthplace of several of our Nation's Founding 
Fathers. Thomas Stone, a member of the Continental Congress and one of 
Maryland's four signers of the Declaration of Independence, was born in 
Charles County. His home, Habre de Venture, still stands and is a unit 
of the National Park Service. His uncle, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 
was a Delegate to the Constitutional Convention. John Hanson, a long 
serving member of the Maryland assembly and the first President of the 
United States in Congress Assembled under a fully ratified Articles of 
Confederation, was born at Port Tobacco.
  Residents of Charles County witnessed the landing of British troops 
in Benedict during the War of 1812. During the Civil War, Camp Stanton 
was established in Benedict for the purpose of recruiting and training 
African-American men for the Union Army. Following the war, John Wilkes 
Booth, assassin of President Lincoln, traveled through Charles County 
stopping at the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd to have his broken leg set--on 
his escape from Washington, DC.
  Charles County was also the birthplace of Josiah Henson who was born 
a slave, escaped to Canada and later wrote his autobiography which is 
believed to have inspired Harriet Beecher Stowe's ``Uncle Tom's 
Cabin.'' Matthew Henson, who accompanied Admiral Robert Peary on 
several Arctic expeditions, including the discovery of the North Pole, 
was also a native of Charles County. Henson, who was likely the first 
man to reach the spot, planted the American flag at the North Pole.
  Today, Charles County continues to make history. It is home to 
important Federal agencies, including the Naval Surface Warfare Center, 
Indian Head Division which was established in 1890 and is the 
international leader in energetic research and development. Recently, 
scientists and researchers at Indian Head developed, in short order, 
the thermobaric ``cave busting'' bomb to combat terrorists abroad.
  Charles County offers its residents scenic rural areas, wildlife 
habitats, and waterfront views with convenient access to the Washington 
metropolitan area and the Federal Government which helps it live up to 
its motto of ``Where Eagles Fly.'' With a vibrant and robust business 
climate, coupled with its hardworking and dedicated residents, Charles 
County has strong appeal and has become one of the most diverse 
communities in Maryland and one of the wealthiest for its size in the 
Nation.
  I am proud to represent Charles County in the U.S. Congress and 
congratulate its current County Commissioners--Commissioner Wayne 
Cooper, President; Commissioner Edith Patterson, Vice President; 
Commissioner Rueben Collins, Commissioner Gary Hodge, and Commissioner 
Samuel Graves as they celebrate this great milestone. Congratulations 
Charles County on your 350th anniversary and may your citizens have 
continued prosperity for years to come.

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