[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 15 (Friday, February 1, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE BICENTENNIAL OF LEBANON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, February 1, 2013

  Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague, 
Representative Jim Gerlach (PA-6), to honor the County of Lebanon, 
Pennsylvania which we jointly represent. The citizens of Lebanon County 
are celebrating the County's Bicentennial this month.
  The first German-speaking settlers came to the Lebanon Valley area in 
the early 1720's. Purchased from Native Americans by the Penn Family in 
1732, the area that would become Lebanon County quickly drew the 
interest of both German and English immigrants seeking rich and 
inexpensive farmland. Those initial settlers would be proud to know 200 
years later that the land they settled is still being used productively 
in agriculture. To this day, Lebanon County ranks in the top ten of 
most categories of crop and livestock production in Pennsylvania.
  By 1810, the Lebanon Valley area had more than 16,000 inhabitants and 
they were a civic-minded people. Shortly after the American Revolution 
the six townships that would become Lebanon County--Annville, Bethel, 
East Hanover, Londonderry, Heidelberg and Lebanon Townships--felt too 
removed from the distant seat of government in Harrisburg and sought 
greater control over their own local affairs. They began petitioning 
the General Assembly for recognition as a county. On February 16, 1813, 
Lebanon was granted county status by the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
  Two hundred years later, those men and women would be astounded to 
know that the 2010 census indicated that 133,568 people are living 
within the County's nearly 363 square miles.
  They would be proud to know that Lebanon Valley College, founded in 
1866, has consistently provided quality liberal arts education to 
thousands of students.
  The people of the Lebanon Valley region were great patriots and 
supporters of the American Revolution. The area served as a supply 
depot for American forces during the War. During the Civil War, the 
people of Lebanon County raised the 93rd Regiment to support the 
Union's cause.
  They would be proud to know of the role that Ft. Indiantown Gap plays 
in the role of supporting the Pennsylvania National Guard and the 
United States Army.
  Mr. Speaker, Congressman Jim Gerlach and I are honored to represent 
Lebanon County in the House of Representatives. We congratulate the 
people of Lebanon County on their proud heritage and on their numerous 
contributions to the history and culture of not only the Commonwealth 
of Pennsylvania, but of the United States as well.
  With the blessings of Providence, may it be that another Congressman 
from Pennsylvania stands in the Capitol one hundred years from today 
enjoying the privilege of honoring the people of Lebanon on their 
Tercentennial.

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