[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE BICENTENNIAL OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bicentennial of 
Lehigh County, Pennsylvania.
  Lehigh County was established on 6 March 1812, with my hometown of 
Allentown as its county seat. 1812 was a turbulent time for our nation, 
which was on the brink of war, but the young county persevered through 
its initial difficulties. The industrial revolution of the early 19th 
Century gave rise to the growth of the American railroad industry, 
creating a massive demand for iron to lay tracks that would eventual 
span the nation. Lehigh County answered the call and quickly 
established itself as a national manufacturing powerhouse. In addition 
to manufacturing, the county also flourished as an agricultural center, 
with crops and livestock supported by cool waters of the Lehigh River 
and its many tributaries. Farming has been a staple of the region's 
economy since its settling, and today remains an important way of life 
for many Lehigh County families.
  Lehigh County is home to several prominent colleges and universities 
that provide quality education to thousands of students each year. 
These include Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lehigh Carbon 
Community College, Muhlenberg College and Penn State Lehigh Valley. The 
county's unique location between the major markets of Philadelphia and 
New York has also made it an ideal location for commuters looking for a 
better quality of life.
  Much to the delight of its residents--new and old--Lehigh County 
boasts an abundance of cultural, recreational, and entertainment 
attractions that keep it bustling with activity. The county is home to 
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, a popular amusement park known 
nationally for its famous 1923 wooden roller coaster Thunderhawk. The 
Lehigh Valley Zoo, located within the scenic 1,100-acre Trexler Nature 
Preserve, is home to more than 275 animals representing 70 species, as 
well as one of the most impressive herds of American Bison in the 
eastern United States. Many residents fondly remember the thrill of 
fording the Jordan Creek after visiting the zoo as children.
  Lehigh County is also home to beautiful Coca-Cola Park, home of the 
Philadelphia Phillies' AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. 
Residents of the county and neighboring communities are already getting 
excited for the start of the 2014-15 AHL season, when the Philadelphia 
Flyers' affiliate, the Phantoms, will begin playing hockey in downtown 
Allentown. It is, indeed, an exciting time to be living in Lehigh 
County.
  Known for its many traditional festivals that highlight the area's 
rich history, appreciation for the arts and love for the outdoors, 
including Das Awkscht Fescht, the Great Allentown Fair, Mayfair and 
SportsFest, countless Americans visit Lehigh County each year. Music is 
also an important component of Lehigh County's cultural identity, and 
while newcomers may wonder what sounds a boomba makes, thousands of 
visitors flock to Allentown's J. Birney Crum stadium each summer to 
hear the familiar tunes played by dozens of drum and bugle corps during 
their annual stop to the Lehigh Valley.
  In recognition of its 200th anniversary, the Lehigh County 
Bicentennial Committee organized four months of activities celebrating 
the county's people, history, and culture. The festivities included the 
launch of the Lehigh County Hall of Fame to recognize residents who 
have achieved greatness in entertainment, sports, business, and other 
areas. The 24 inductees of the inaugural class included NFL Hall of 
Famer Chuck Bednarik of Upper Saucon Township, four-time Super Bowl 
champion Matt Millen of Whitehall Township, actress Amanda Seyfried of 
Allentown, actress Christine Taylor of Lower Macungie, famed Chrysler 
CEO Lee Iacocca of Allentown, Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays, the 
first female general in the U.S. military and an Allentown native, and 
Golf Channel analyst Rich Lerner of South Whitehall.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the county that my family and I 
call home on the occasion of its bicentennial. I ask all my colleagues 
to join me in honoring Lehigh County's 200th anniversary.

                          ____________________