[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 78 (Wednesday, May 20, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     125TH ANNIVERSARY OF OAKWOOD CEMETERY IN MT. VERNON, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 20, 2009

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to note the 125th 
anniversary of Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
  Since Oakwood's formal recognition in 1883, concerned local citizens 
have worked tirelessly to ensure that those in the community who have 
left this life have a peaceful and dignified final resting place. This 
Memorial Day, the hard-working staff, which does so much to maintain 
Oakwood, will welcome area residents to the annual Memorial Day Weekend 
Drive-Thru. Local citizens can visit the resting places of such 
prominent citizens as the city's first mayor, James Pace, Civil War 
Generals C.W. Pavey and W.B. Anderson, and Illinois Governor L.L. 
Emmerson.
  Over the decades, local residents have put great efforts in creating 
a beautiful and serene final resting place. According to its official 
history, the cemetery has over 9,000 markers spread along five miles of 
roads. The groundskeepers mow an average of 35 times per year, totaling 
1,600 acres.
  I want to salute the board members and staff members, past and 
present, of the Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, for the 
important work that they have done for 125 years.

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