[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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