[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 106 (Wednesday, July 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1792-E1793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN HONOR OF HOMESTEADING AND THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NORVELT

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                          HON. JOHN P. MURTHA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 15, 2009

  Mr. MURTHA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 75th Anniversary 
of Norvelt. This community, located in Mount Pleasant Township in 
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, was originally named Westmoreland 
Homestead. It was created to demonstrate how a homesteading community 
could assist displaced coal miners. In the early 1900s, western 
Pennsylvania had emerged as the world leader in mining bituminous-coal, 
but the Great Depression caused the mining industry to falter, causing 
massive job loss and severe wage reductions.
  While driving through impoverished mining towns and witnessing first 
hand the severe poverty the families were enduring, First Lady Eleanor 
Roosevelt became deeply concerned. Many houses she visited had upwards 
of ten people sharing one bed and some families were so poor they were 
living in abandoned coke ovens. Mrs. Roosevelt believed that 
subsistence housing would provide for a better quality of life for the 
impoverished citizens. Her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 
supported his wife's vision by establishing the homesteading movement 
in the New Deal. The new homesteading community in Westmoreland County 
eventually changed its name to ``Norvelt'' in honor of Eleanor 
Roosevelt.
  In contrast to previous ``patch towns,'' where miners were almost 
entirely dependent on their employers, the new homestead enabled 
residents to be self-reliant. The community was 772 acres and sustained 
254 homes. The new residents, who came from the older, surrounding 
communities, assisted in the construction of their new residences and 
were responsible for the painting.
  Each modest house came with a tract of land that enabled families to 
grow their own food. Every family received several dozen chickens, as 
well as agricultural tools, trees, and bushes. The First Lady also 
pushed for each home to have a refrigerator and washing machine, as she 
believed that everyone deserved to have some comforts in life. Personal 
garages also served as a symbol of hope that one day each family would 
own its own car. Every month, families would pay rent which ultimately 
went towards the purchase of their homes.
  Today Madam Speaker, as our country faces economic hardship, we can 
look to the example of the past residents of Norvelt as they worked 
hard in the hope of a better future.

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