[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 142 (Thursday, September 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                          PARKROSE CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2011

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, congratulations to Parkrose, Oregon on 
your Centennial.
  Founded by Italian, Dutch, and German farmers in the late 1890s, the 
community of Parkrose was incorporated by its business community in 
1911 and quickly faced the challenges of rapid growth.
  By the 1920s, the farmland that supplied nearby Portland with much of 
its food was developed into motels, serving the travelers that traveled 
from the Columbia Gorge into the ``big city''. Next came housing 
developments, changing the landscape even more. In the 1960s, the newly 
constructed Banfield freeway attracted motorists off of Sandy 
Boulevard, Parkrose's main thoroughfare.
  By the time of annexation by the City of Portland in 1980, Parkrose 
had faced challenges as great as any part of the metropolitan area. 
Throughout, Parkrose has fought to retain its identity, as well as its 
farmland, and have kept its schools an important focal point for the 
community.
  In more recent years, Parkrose has rediscovered its past, celebrating 
many rich traditions. From its schools and businesses to its community 
gardens, parks, local farms, and thriving Farmers Market, the residents 
of Parkrose continue to shape their community into one that will be 
treasured and celebrated 100 years from now.
  I offer my congratulations to the good citizens of Parkrose, Oregon 
as they begin their next century.

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