[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF THE CITY OF PRINCETON, WEST 
                                VIRGINIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  Mr. RAHALL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th 
birthday of the great City of Princeton, West Virginia.
  In West Virginia, transportation industries and coal mining have 
played an integral role in the economic development of the region. The 
City of Princeton is no exception. As early as the nineteenth century, 
emerging transportation technology, the railroad, and a Nation 
demanding West Virginia's coal helped form booming new industry in the 
Princeton area. Much of the coal produced was sent west to the Great 
Lakes region or east to Baltimore, New York City and New England, 
heating our great Nation and providing steam power to the U.S. Navy.
  What was once a small railroad-side village in beautiful Mercer 
County is now a thriving city with a population of 6,300. Between 
25,000 and 28,000 pass through each day, bringing business and goods to 
a city with a history as rich and varied as the state itself.
  Many notable actors and sports team owners at one point called 
Princeton home. Kevin Sizemore, of the television show Prison Break, 
and Sam Eliot, who was in We Were Soldiers both hailed from our 
hallowed hills. And Ken Kendrick, owner of the Arizona Diamondbacks, 
and Rod Thorn, President and Manager of the New Jersey Nets called West 
Virginia home in their childhoods.
  February 20th marked the 100th birthday of the City of Princeton. I 
invite you all to join me in celebrating this great City! Happy 
birthday Princeton!

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