[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 75 (Tuesday, May 18, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H3501-H3502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING CONDOLENCES FOR CHATHAM COUNTY COURTHOUSE FIRE
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 1364) honoring the historic and
community significance of the Chatham County Courthouse and expressing
condolences to Chatham County and the town of Pittsboro for the fire
damage sustained by the courthouse on March 25, 2010.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 1364
Whereas on March 5, 1881, the General Assembly of North
Carolina approved legislation allowing the Board of Justices
of Chatham County to replace the existing architecturally
unsound Chatham County courthouse with a new facility and
provided the county with construction bonds of up to $12,000;
Whereas Thomas B. Womack designed the plans for the Chatham
County Courthouse, and J. Bynum and William Lord London of
Pittsboro, North Carolina, were awarded the construction
contract;
Whereas on September 1, 1881, members of Columbus Lodge 102
laid the cornerstone of the new courthouse in Pittsboro, and
on July 4, 1882, the new courthouse was completed;
Whereas the Chatham County Courthouse is a three-story
brick structure with a two-story classical portico topped by
a distinguishing three-stage cupola;
Whereas county courthouses are focal points of justice and
the rule of law in communities across the country, and the
Chatham County Courthouse serves as the central landmark of
Pittsboro and Chatham County;
Whereas the historic Chatham County Courthouse was
partially destroyed by a tragic fire that broke out on March
25, 2010, at approximately 4:15 p.m;
Whereas firefighters, led by Chatham Country Fire Marshal
Thomas Bender, courageously fought the blaze and protected
surrounding buildings from damage;
Whereas government officials of the North Carolina
Administrative Office of the Courts, Chatham County, and the
town of Pittsboro have worked tirelessly to ensure the
continuity of judicial operations in Chatham County and to
develop a plan to restore the courthouse; and
Whereas the North Carolina court system, Chatham County,
and the town of Pittsboro experienced a significant and
tragic loss as a result of the March 25, 2010 fire: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses condolences to the North Carolina court
system, Chatham County, and the town of Pittsboro for the
tragic loss of the Chatham County Courthouse;
(2) commends the heroic actions of the Chatham County
firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to
combat the Courthouse fire, minimize the damage to the
Courthouse and the historic materials contained therein, and
protect the public;
(3) recognizes the community significance of the Courthouse
as a cornerstone of justice and the rule of law in Chatham
County; and
(4) recognizes the impact that more than a century of
landmark court decisions has made on the judicial system of
the Town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, and North Carolina.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Georgia (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Rooney) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia.
General Leave
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Georgia?
There was no objection.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution honors the Chatham County Courthouse in
Pittsboro, North Carolina. This historic courthouse was recently
destroyed by a fire on March 25, 2010. It took more than 100 courageous
firefighters to put out the blaze.
The town of Pittsboro, population around 3,000, has many important
historical attractions. These include numerous 19th century buildings,
an old-fashioned soda shop on the main street, and a number of antique
stores. And for over 100 years, Chatham County Courthouse stood in the
middle of town.
The courthouse was originally built in 1881 and was restored in 1991
to its
[[Page H3502]]
original appearance. Local residents regarded the courthouse as the
heart of the county and as a symbol of their community.
This resolution expresses our condolences to the town of Pittsboro
and all of Chatham County, North Carolina, for their loss of this
historic and significant building, and I urge my colleagues to support
this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolution 1364. This resolution honors
the historic and community significance of the Chatham County
Courthouse and expresses condolences to Chatham County and the town of
Pittsboro for the fire damage sustained by the courthouse on March 25,
2010.
The cornerstone of the Chatham County Courthouse was laid in 1881.
The courthouse was completed in 1882. For nearly 130 years, justice and
the rule of law preserved this three-story brick courthouse. It stood
as the central landmark and community gathering-place for Pittsboro and
Chatham County. It helped form the identity and independence of the
people of Chatham County.
On March 25, 2010, the Chatham County Courthouse was partially
destroyed by a tragic fire. Firefighters and emergency responders
fought courageously to save the structure and the historic archives
within it. They also protected the public and surrounding buildings
from damage.
State, county, and city officials have since worked to ensure that
the administration of justice continues in Chatham County. They also
plan to restore the courthouse.
This resolution expresses condolences to the people of Chatham County
and the town of Pittsboro for their historic loss. The resolution
commends the heroic work of the firefighters and first responders, and
it recognizes the significance of the courthouse to the community and
to the administration of justice for more than a century. I urge my
colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Price) for such time as he may consume.
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for
yielding and rise in support of H. Res. 1364, recognizing and
remembering the Chatham County Courthouse in Pittsboro, North Carolina.
At 4:15 p.m. on March 25 of this year, the upper portion of the
courthouse caught fire. The blaze eventually destroyed much of the
building, taking with it over 130 years of history and a source of
pride and appreciation for Chatham County residents and visitors.
The county the courthouse serves is divided between the Second and
Fourth Congressional Districts, and I am pleased to join my colleague,
Representative Bob Etheridge, and other North Carolina colleagues today
in lamenting the serious damage to this landmark structure.
The Chatham County Courthouse dates back to September 1, 1881, when
members of the Columbus Lodge 102 laid its cornerstone at the historic
town center of Pittsboro. The building, which is known for its two-
story classical portico, topped by a three-stage cupola, was designed
by Thomas B. Womack, following the passage of legislation in the North
Carolina General Assembly to provide the county with construction bonds
of up to $12,000.
The building was completed less than 1 year later, on Independence
Day of 1882, and has served ever since as a landmark to visitors and
residents alike and a symbol of constancy to the broader community.
Although the building will be rebuilt in time and many of the records
lost will be recreated, I grieve with the Chatham County community
today for the loss of this courthouse. County courthouses are the
cornerstones of justice and the rule of law in our communities; but we
know they attain a greater significance, a significance larger than
their day-to-day role.
I also would like to recognize the local first responders who
responded to the fire for their heroic action in controlling the blaze
and ensuring the safety of court personnel. Thanks to their efforts and
a working fire alarm system, there were no injuries or fatalities as a
result of this fire.
I also commend the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts
and the Chatham County and town of Pittsboro governments, which have
worked tirelessly to ensure the continuity of judicial operations and
to develop a plan to restore the courthouse.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Etheridge, who
represents the town of Pittsboro and the majority of Chatham County in
Congress, for his leadership on this resolution. I join with him in
extending condolences to the community and expressing our hope and
expectation that efforts to rebuild the portions of the building that
were destroyed and to restore the archives will be swift and
successful.
{time} 1545
Mr. ROONEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1364.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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