[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 22 (Friday, February 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA

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                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 11, 2011

  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial 
of Transylvania County in Western North Carolina. Transylvania, a 
county of 29,000 residents, is home to picturesque beauty and is known 
as the ``Land of Waterfalls.''
  In 1861, Representative Joseph P. Jordan introduced a bill to the 
North Carolina House of Commons to establish a new county. Transylvania 
County was then formed and held its first County Commission meeting on 
May 20th of that year. This day is notable in North Carolina's history 
as it represents the day the State seceded from the Union. The next 
day, Transylvania County possessed no money, courthouse, jail, or a 
bank, yet was busily mustering a company of volunteers to serve for the 
Confederacy.
  A century later, Transylvania County led the State of North Carolina 
in fully integrating its public school system. In 1963, Brevard High 
School became the first high school in the State to field integrated 
athletic teams.
  Over one-third of the County's area is comprised of national and 
state parks and forests. This includes Blue Ridge Parkway, DuPont State 
Forest, Gorges State Park, Caesar's Head, Holmes Educational State 
Forest, and Pisgah National Forest. From the spectacular views from 
Chestnut Knob to the humbling cascades at Pisgah National Forest's 
Looking Glass Falls and the other 249 waterfalls in the area, 
Transylvania County embodies all that is Appalachian.
  On February 15, 2011, Transylvania County will hold a very special 
public gathering celebrating the 150th anniversary of its formation by 
the North Carolina Assembly. This will launch a year-long series of 
events, activities and education. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to 
join me in recognizing Transylvania's sesquicentennial and its 
contributions to the United States and the great State of North 
Carolina.

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