[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE MURRAY CITY LIBRARY CENTENNIAL

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                           HON. JIM MATHESON

                                of utah

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 8, 2012

  Mr. MATHESON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Murray City 
Library, which is celebrating its centennial this year. As in many 
communities throughout the state of Utah, Murray City's library began 
as an effort of local volunteers wishing to promote the value of 
reading, literacy, education, and self-improvement to its residents.
  For many years prior to 1912, the Murray City Women's Club operated a 
library and reading room available to the entire community. On May 7, 
1912, the Murray City Mayor and Commission voted to accept the Women's 
Club donation of its book collection and to set aside a library fund to 
establish, operate, and maintain a free public library. The vision of 
these citizens and their elected officials created an institution that 
has served the community with distinction since 1912.
  Over the course of the century that followed, the Murray Library 
continued to grow and promote its core values of providing friendly, 
responsive, accountable, respectful, and inclusive service to its 
community. It is now locally governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of 
Trustees that encourages everyone to celebrate the Library's past, 
present, and future. The Murray City Women's Club and the citizens' 
group Friends of the Library continue to support and promote a strong 
and independent library where the community can gather and share common 
interests and concerns.
  The Murray City Library, like all of Utah's public libraries, plays a 
critical role in providing our citizens with the information they need 
to live, learn, and thrive in our society. I would therefore like to 
celebrate the one hundred years of community service provided by the 
Murray Library and look forward to another one hundred years of 
excellence.

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