[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF POMFRET, CONNECTICUT

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                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 26, 2013

  Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 300th 
anniversary of the Town of Pomfret, Connecticut, located in the 2nd 
Congressional District. The citizens of this community will celebrate 
the anniversary with festivities on May 22, 2013.
  Rich with history and tradition, the Town of Pomfret has retained 
much of its old-time charm and beauty for which many of the New England 
communities are so famous. It is nestled in the rolling hills of 
northeastern Connecticut and is one of the diminishing number of 
communities in our part of the country which still maintains a rustic 
and gentle way of life so characteristic of America a generation or two 
ago.
  The Town of Pomfret was settled by pioneer colonists and incorporated 
in the year 1713. Because of its beautiful location and its rural 
atmosphere, it has been for many years a summer resort for city 
dwellers. It still boasts active farms, with apple and peach orchards 
and dairy farms in its 38 square miles. The town has overwhelmingly 
approved the preservation of over 1200 acres of open space in the 
course of the last decade.
  The 300th Anniversary of the town will actually be observed over the 
full year of 2013 and many events have been planned by committee 
working diligently over the past few years. Festivities began with a 
Coast Guard Dixieland Jazz Band Concert, a Commemorative Quilt has been 
made by residents, displayed at various locations, and will be 
presented to the town, Pomfret was Grand Marshall in the area's Holiday 
Parade, there have been ice-skating parties, walking events, artwork 
displayed, and a special Tercentennial Ball has been planned.
  Historical phases of the event include a self-guided historical tour 
map showcasing many historic homes and public buildings, a program of 
Characters from Colonial Connecticut, a talk by State Archaeologist 
Nick Bellantoni about aborginal inhabitants, CT Women's Suffrage 
Program, an historical talk on General Israel Putnam--a Revolutionary 
War hero--and a commemorative postmark.
  As the Representative of Putnam in the U.S. House, I want to pay a 
well-deserved tribute to those early settlers of Pomfret who helped 
build our country through their hard work, struggles, and sacrifices. 
The record of their achievements lives to this day in the hearts and 
memories of their descendants who can take pride in the legacy handed 
down to them, a legacy of patriotism and devotion to our nation. Mr. 
Speaker, I salute the citizens of Pomfret on this festive occasion. All 
of us in eastern Connecticut take great pride in this community. I am 
confident that Pomfret's 300th anniversary will be a great and 
successful event, and I hope that the next 300 years in the history of 
this community will be as happy and prosperous for its people as it has 
been in the past.

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