[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ST. DAVID'S SOCIETY OF LACKAWANNA 
                                 COUNTY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 26, 2010

  Mr. KANJORSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask you and my esteemed 
colleagues in the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the 100-
year anniversary of the St. David's Society of Lackawanna County.
  The St. David's Society of Lackawanna County was founded in 1910 to 
promote, preserve and hold sacred the Welsh traditions of Lackawanna 
County in northeastern Pennsylvania and foster friendship among all 
ethnic groups in the region.
  The Society is a non-profit, non-sectarian and non-political 
organization.
  Northeastern Pennsylvania has a strong Welsh tradition dating back to 
the 18th century when Welsh made up about one-third of Pennsylvania's 
colonial population.
  After the discovery of coal in the region during the 1800s, a new 
wave of Welsh immigrants descended on northeastern Pennsylvania. By the 
early 20th century, Welsh-born immigrants were heavily settled in the 
city of Scranton.
  Today, Pennsylvania maintains one of the highest populations of Welsh 
ancestry in the country.
  Over the past 100 years, the St. David's Society of Lackawanna County 
has worked to preserve Welsh history throughout the region.
  Last year, the Society commemorated the 140th anniversary of the 1869 
Avondale coal mine disaster by completing a restoration project at the 
Washburn Street Cemetery in Scranton where 60 Welsh miners were buried.
  Each year, the Society celebrates St. David's Day on March 1 with an 
annual dinner in honor of the patron saint of Wales and as a yearly 
celebration of Welsh heritage in the region.
  This year's centennial celebration began on March 1 with flag 
raisings in Carbondale and Clarks Summit, PA.
  To commemorate this historic anniversary, the Society has also 
organized a special Welsh Heritage Exhibit at the Anthracite Heritage 
Museum in Scranton to promote the Welsh influence in the coal industry 
in northeastern Pennsylvania.
  On May 29, 2010, the Society will celebrate its 100th anniversary 
with a dinner and concert in Dickson City, PA.
  This year's dinner and concert will feature the Ystradgynlais Male 
Voice Choir who will be traveling from Wales to take part in the 
festivities. Catrin Brace of the Welsh Assembly Government in New York 
will serve as the keynote speaker.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in honoring the St. David's Society of 
Lackawanna County on this historic occasion. In the years to come, I am 
confident they will continue to foster a rich ethnic appreciation for 
the next generation of northeastern Pennsylvania residents.

                          ____________________