[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 122 (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MADISON COUNTY BICENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 12, 2012

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 200th birthday of 
my home county, Madison County, Illinois. Situated in southwestern 
Illinois, Madison County is one of the fastest growing and most diverse 
counties in Illinois. Whether it is the suburban hustle and bustle of 
Collinsville and Godfrey, the rural small-town atmosphere of Grantfork 
and Alhambra, the industrial might of Granite City and Wood River, the 
farming communities around St. Jacob and Worden, the university 
neighborhoods of Edwardsville, the historic charm of Alton and 
Highland, or the new and expanding developments in Maryville and 
Bethalto, Madison County has something for everyone.
  Madison County is proud of its history, and optimistic about its 
future. Our county has produced towering figures of history, literally 
and figuratively: being home to Robert Wadlow, the world's tallest man, 
as well as the great Senator Paul Simon, jazz legend Miles Davis, and 
the abolitionist publisher Elijah Lovejoy. Our county was founded by 
Swiss, Italian, Hungarian, and Lithuanian immigrants. They farmed, 
mined, and worked in mills. Governor Ninian Edwards--for whom 
Edwardsville is named--chose President James Madison as our county's 
namesake.
  On behalf of the more than a quarter-million proud residents of 
Madison County, I invite you to visit and see the National Great Rivers 
Museum in Alton, our many historic Route 66 sites, the Piasa Bird 
outside Alton, and the Lewis and Clark Historic Site. The fine, hard-
working men and women of all walks of life who make our communities and 
our county an excellent place to live, work and raise a family welcome 
you.
  I congratulate County Board President Alan Dunstan, and my many other 
friends and neighbors in Madison County on celebrating the 
bicentennial. May our home county continue to grow and prosper for 
another 200 years and beyond.

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